Air Force prepares contract for more KC-46 tankers despite recent deficiencies

General John Lamontagne, Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, told Congressional lawmakers just last month the service won’t finalize a new deal with The Boeing Company for another 75 KC-46 tankers until some of the “deficiencies” with the refueler are resolved.

According to contract documents released on Wednesday, the Department of the Air Force has issued a “pre‑solicitation notice” indicating its intent to award a sole‑source contract to Boeing for the continuation of KC‑46A tanker production and related support services.

The notice outlines a requirement for up to 75 additional KC‑46A aircraft. The aircraft are intended to replace aging tanker assets, such as the KC-135, and to sustain the Air Force’s “recapitalization” program. The contract would also cover full‑rate production, product support, analytical studies, data subscriptions, and licensing.

According to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Future Tankers office, market research confirms that Boeing is the only entity with the necessary facilities, a security-cleared workforce, proprietary tooling, and technical data to fulfill the requirement. The Air Force, therefore, plans to proceed with the contract.

While the notice is not a request for competitive proposals, it invites interested parties to submit a capability statement.

The Air Force has not disclosed the anticipated contract value, but the scale of the program suggests a multi‑billion‑dollar investment over the next several years. Further details are expected as the procurement process advances toward a formal award.