AF Orders 15 New Tankers

The Air Force is buying 15 new KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft. The service awarded Boeing a $2.1-billion contract to produce the planes and spare parts. The new deal is the second involving the KC-46. The Air Force already ordered lots of seven and 12 of the planes. Built on the same airframe as the 767 commercial airliner, Pegasus will replace the aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers. McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., will take delivery of the first KC-46s, with more planes to be based at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., and Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H. Altus will serve as the training location for the plane’s air and ground crews.