However, the service’s announcement Monday did not clarify whether those restrictions would remain in place for centerline probe and drogue missions.
The Air Force intends to buy at least 179 KC-46s to replace its KC-10s and some of its legacy KC-135 fleet. Afterward, the service will either continue buying KC-46s or begin procuring another non-developmental refueling aircraft — likely the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport — as the remainder of its KC-135s reach the end of their service lives.
The Air Force plans to declare full operational capability only after its six critical deficiencies are resolved. At earliest, this will occur in 2023 when Boeing begins delivering KC-46s equipped with a new remote vision system, which provides visual imagery to boom operators during a refueling.
