KC-46 Tanker Modernization: Aircraft Delivery Has Begun, but Deficiencies Could Affect Operations and Will Take Time to Correct

Abstract

Aerial refueling—the transfer of fuel from airborne tankers to combat and airlift forces—is critical to the U.S. military’s ability to effectively operate globally. The Air Force initiated the KC-46 program in 2011 to replace about a third of its aging KC-135 aerial refueling fleet. Boeing was awarded a fixed-price incentive contract to develop the first four aircraft, which are being used for testing. Boeing was also required to deliver the first 18 fully capable aircraft by August 2017. The program plans to eventually field 179 aircraft. This report assesses the program’s progress toward meeting cost, schedule, and performance goals. The report also assesses how the program’s contracting and sustainment planning approach could inform other acquisition programs. The GAO analyzed cost, schedule, performance, test, manufacturing, contracting, and sustainment planning documents and interviewed officials from the KC-46 program office and other defense offices, such as the Defense Contract Management Agency, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Boeing.