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.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.