DefenceTalkMore bad news for US aviation giant Boeing: the US Air Force said Tuesday it had halted for a second time the acceptance of new KC-46 tankers due to ongoing quality issues. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson revealed the March 23 decision — another setback in the already delayed air tanker program — during a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-refuses-boeing-tanker-deliveries-over-quality-issues-72249/

DefenceTalkThe United States has selected Boeing as its contractor for the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial tanker. Boeing won an $805 million engineering and manufacturing development contract to provide four aircraft. The MQ-25 Stingray will allow for better use of combat strike fighters by extending the range of deployed naval combat aircraft, according to the U.S. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-mq-25-stingray-procurement-could-reach-over-150-71840/

DefenceTalkThe first Boeing [NYSE: BA] KC-46A tanker that will be delivered to the U.S. Air Force next year successfully completed its first flight and airborne tests today, taking off from Paine Field at 10:32 a.m. PST and landing approximately three-and-one-half hours later. “Today’s flight is another milestone for the Air Force/Boeing team and helps move […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-kc-46a-tanker-for-u-s-air-force-completes-first-flight-70967/

DefenceTalkThe first of the newest support ships for the Royal Navy, RFA Tidespring, has arrived in Cornwall for customization, helping to sustain 300 UK jobs. The 39,000-tonne tanker, which can carry up to 19,000 cubic metres of fuel and 1,300 cubic metres of fresh water, will join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, a civilian-manned fleet which […]https://www.defencetalk.com/royal-navy-auxiliarys-new-tanker-arrives-in-uk-69646/

DefenceTalkThe Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Airbus today signed a research agreement to further develop the RAAF KC-30A’s capabilities. The agreement strengthens the industrial partnership between Airbus and Australia’s defence force, and will help to define the evolution of the KC-30A fleet as it reaches operational maturity and expand its capabilities. This will result […]https://www.defencetalk.com/royal-australian-air-force-and-airbus-partner-on-kc-30a-future-capability-roadmap-69377/

DefenceTalkThe Indian Air Force (IAF) has canceled the tender worth USD2 billion for six A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) aerial tankers, according to a source in the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD). “The MoD has terminated the program to acquire six A330 MRTT aerial tankers from the Airbus Defense and Space Company. We are planning […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-might-acquire-russian-il-78m-90a-aerial-tankers-67941/

DefenceTalkThe Netherlands is ready to purchase 2 Airbus tanker/transport aircraft with Luxembourg. The aircraft will be NATO property and will be stationed at Eindhoven Air Base for pooling and sharing. Belgium, Germany, Norway and Poland intend to join the agreement at a later date. The MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) project is an example of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/netherlands-and-luxembourg-buy-tanker-aircraft-together-67936/

DefenceTalkBoeing warned Thursday that second-quarter earnings will be hit by $2.1 billion in unexpected after tax costs, including its third charge in a year on a large Air Force tanker contract. Boeing said its quarterly earnings release on July 27 will recognize $393 million in costs associated with the KC-46 tanker program, a next-generation military […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-hit-by-2-1-bn-in-tanker-production-costs-67888/

DefenceTalkKC-46 Pegasus aircraft are now expected to arrive at their first basing locations by late summer or early fall 2017. The KC-46 was most recently scheduled for a spring 2017 arrival at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, the first formal training unit location; and McConnell AFB, Kansas, the first active duty-led Pegasus main operating base. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-and-u-s-air-force-adjust-kc-46-tanker-schedule-67540/

DefenceTalkThe Boeing test team successfully completed the first flight of the program’s second KC-46A tanker aircraft yesterday, taking off from Paine Field and landing later at Boeing Field in Seattle. During the flight, Boeing test pilots performed operational checks on engines, flight controls and environmental systems. “Adding a second tanker to the flight test program […]https://www.defencetalk.com/second-boeing-u-s-air-force-kc-46a-tanker-completes-first-flight-66940/