The Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.8 billion contract modification for the first two low rate initial production lots of the KC-46, totaling 19 aircraft with spare parts, the Pentagon announced Thursday evening. The pre-negotiated deal calls for seven Lot 1 aircraft with two spare engines, and five wing refueling pod kits. Lot 2 includes 12 aircraft, two spare engines, and five wing refueling pod kits. Work is expected to be completed by Aug. 24, 2018. McConnell AFB, Kan., and Altus AFB, Okla., will be the first bases to receive aircraft. Altus will house the only KC-46 Formal Training Unit. Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall approved the KC-46 for initial production Aug. 12 after the program completed its final Milestone C-required flight test in July with the successful refueling of an A-10 following months of delay.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
