The Pentagon ordered the sixth C-17 meant for the Royal Australian Air Force, awarding Boeing a $171.5 million foreign military sales contract, announced US defense officials. Back in March, the Australian defense ministry announced its decision to acquire the sixth C-17. Boeing is expected to complete work on this aircraft in November, according to DOD’s list of major contracts awarded on June 19. “Boeing is incredibly pleased by the confidence shown by the Australian government in the unique airlift capabilities provided by the C-17,” company spokeswoman Cindy Anderson told the Daily Report June 20. She added, “We look forward to working with the Commonwealth of Australia to deliver the RAAF’s sixth C-17 airlifter with the same speed and quality standards as the five airlifters before it.” In related news, Boeing announced on June 20 that it has delivered the sixth C-17 to the United Arab Emirates, thereby completing that nation’s order.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.