In unveiling its “stealthy” F-15 Silent Eagle concept on March 17, Boeing did not make any direct comparison between the level of low observability achievable with the Silent Eagle and the level of stealth of the Lockheed Martin F-35. Nor did Boeing comment on the F-35’s level of stealth. Instead, says Boeing spokesman Damien Mills, the company was trying to make the point that the Silent Eagle could meet the level of stealth approved by the US Government for release to international customers. We have amended our original coverage of the Silent Eagle to reflect Boeing’s points. (See Stealth Eagles plus Not Keeping Silent)
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.