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Boeing's KC-46 Pegasus: Costs and international interest

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Boeing's KC-46 Pegasus: Costs and international interest
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Boeing KC-46 Pegasus | Official Website

The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, a military aerial refueling and strategic transport jet, is derived from the Boeing 767 airliner. Initially developed to replace older Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers for the United States Air Force (USAF), the first delivery occurred in January 2019. The USAF plans to acquire 179 units by 2027.

Determining the cost of a KC-46 Pegasus involves two main expenses: purchase price and operational costs. The aircraft's exact purchase price is not publicly available due to its custom-built nature for military clients. However, a recent $2.4 billion agreement between the USAF and Boeing for 15 additional tankers suggests an approximate cost of $159 million per unit.

Boeing reports that the global fleet has logged over 100,000 flight hours and offloaded more than 200 million pounds of fuel. Despite some technical challenges resulting in $7 billion in losses, these new orders are significant for the program.

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The KC-46 combines elements from various Boeing models, featuring advanced systems such as a Rockwell Collins glass cockpit similar to that of the Boeing 787. It is equipped with defensive systems like infrared countermeasures and electronic warfare suites, enhancing its multirole capabilities.

Refueling operations are central to the KC-46's role, utilizing a centerline boom and wing-mounted drogues capable of refueling nearly all USAF fighter jets with up to 207,000 lbs of fuel.

International interest in the KC-46 includes Japan ordering four units and Israel receiving approval for eight models. Indonesia has evaluated it alongside Airbus alternatives but has yet to place an order.

Operating costs are comparable to other Boeing 767 family members. While precise figures vary by mission and operator, they remain significant enough that only nations with substantial defense budgets can afford them.

Overall, while the KC-46 Pegasus offers extensive capabilities across multiple missions, its high acquisition costs limit its adoption primarily to major US allies like Japan and Israel.

Organizations Included in this History
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