Ramona Adams
The U.S. Air Force has rescheduled production decision for the KC-46 tanker program from June to August 2016 due to an issue with the aircraft’s refueling boom loads that came up during flight tests earlier this year.
Boeing, the KC-46 manufacturer, said Friday it is scheduled deliver the first batch of aircraft beginning August 2017 instead of March 2017, with the 18th certified KC-46 expected by January 2018.
The first 18 tankers will feature refueling boom and centerline drogue refueling systems as well as other contract requirements except for wing-aerial refueling pod systems.
Boeing added it plans to deliver WARP systems separately by October 2018 in order to address qualification and certification challenges.
The tanker program currently has five aircraft in test stage, seven in final production and eight in the supply chain, Boeing noted.
