The United States Air Force has paused a follow-on contract for 75 additional Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tankers until the manufacturer addresses persistent technical deficiencies. USAF Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. Lamontagne informed lawmakers on March 4 that no decision on the contract, announced in July 2025, will occur for about two years, aligning with planned procurement from fiscal 2028 to 2036.
Boeing operates under a fixed-price contract for 183 to 188 tankers to replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet, having delivered over 100 units, 14 in 2025, and targeting 19 in 2026. The program has incurred losses exceeding $7 billion for Boeing, including a $565 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2025, as stated by CEO Kelly Ortberg during an investor call.
Key issues include the Remote Vision System (RVS), classified as a Category 1 deficiency due to visibility problems in dynamic lighting conditions, impairing depth perception and risking damage during boom operations. RVS 2.0, featuring upgraded infrared and visible spectrum cameras, faces delays to summer 2027 due to FAA certification. The refueling boom actuator causes stiffness, limiting compatibility with receivers like the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Additional problems encompass fuselage cracks, wing structure issues prompting a 2024 delivery halt, fuel system leaks, and auxiliary power unit drain mast quality concerns. Mission capability stands at 24 percent. The Air Force cleared KC-46s for refueling all its aircraft except the A-10 and pending E-7.