The Air Force and Boeing continue to evolve the KC-46A to meet the mission needs of the future , including an advanced communications suite upgrade that was announced in April 2023 . The Block 1 contract will further enhance the aircraft ’ s data connectivity and situational awareness with line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications technologies including anti-jamming and encryption features . The Pegasus will continue to expand its battlespace network capabilities , including Advanced Battle Management System integration .
The Air Force and Boeing are also partnering to upgrade the aircraft ’ s Remote Vision System that aerial refueling operators use to see receiver aircraft and manage refueling operations . Renfro stressed that these improvements have been made as part of a collaborative partnership between the U . S . Air Force and Boeing on the RVS 2.0 upgrade . “ We have boom operators at the wings and the program office , working directly with the Boeing engineers and the Boeing boom operaters to figure out what is the best solution in order to develop this combat capability and get it to the warfighter for the long-term vision of the program ,” Renfro said . “ RVS 2.0 represents the culmination of that partnership and we are very happy with the result .”
Continuing to grow the global fleet
With more KC-46As operating globally than any other tanker except the Boeing-built KC-135 , Boeing aircraft will continue to refuel the joint force fleet for decades to come . And with many more on order to be built for the U . S . and international customers , Boeing and its global network of suppliers extending out from the Pacific Northwest will continue building and delivering KC-46 tankers well into the future
The KC-46A Pegasus and the P-8A Poseidon are both built by Boeing in the Puget Sound region of Washington State , with support from suppliers throughout the Northwest and across the country . ( Photo : Boeing )
20 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS