The Air Force has chosen Boeing’s 767-based NewGen Tanker to be its new KC-X aerial refueling aircraft under an acquisition program with an estimated value of more than $30 billion. Secretary Michael Donley announced the decision during a Pentagon briefing Thursday. Boeing won out over EADS North America, which offered its A330-based tanker model. Boeing has received a contract valued at more than $3.5 billion for the KC-X engineering and manufacturing development phase. The current schedule is to have Boeing deliver 18 of the planned 179 new tankers by 2017. Donley said USAF is designating the new tanker as the KC-46A. More tanker coverage to come.
SDA’s Next Phase of Data Transport Satellites on Hold
June 30, 2025
The long-term future of one of the Space Development Agency’s two satellite constellations is on hold as officials study the options for replacing a planned “data transport layer” with one or more commercial solutions. President Trump’s proposed 2026 defense budget...