KC-46 Pegasus Aerial Refueling Aircraft

Full Specifications

KC-46 Pegasus Next Generation Tanker

The KC-46 Pegasus is the United States Air Force’s newest aerial refueling aircraft, developed to replace portions of the aging KC-135 fleet. Built by Boeing, the aircraft is based on the commercial 767 airframe and adapted for military tanker, cargo, and aeromedical evacuation missions.

Designed to operate in contested environments, the KC-46 integrates modern avionics, secure communications, and onboard defensive systems. Its primary role is air to air refueling using both a fly by wire refueling boom and wing mounted hose and drogue pods, allowing it to support U.S. and allied aircraft across multiple mission profiles. The tanker can refuel fighters, bombers, surveillance aircraft, and partner nation platforms without configuration changes.

Beyond refueling, the KC-46 provides flexible airlift capability. It can carry pallets, troops, or medical evacuation patients while retaining its refueling mission equipment. The aircraft’s wide body design supports rapid role switching, improving operational efficiency during sustained deployments.

The Pegasus features a modern glass cockpit, advanced navigation systems, and secure data links compatible with U.S. joint force networks. Defensive features include missile warning systems, countermeasures, and armored crew protection. While early production aircraft faced technical challenges, the KC-46 continues to expand operational availability and global tasking.

With a long range and significant fuel offload capacity, the KC-46 strengthens U.S. global reach, enabling power projection, rapid response, and sustained air operations across the Indo Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

KC-46 Pegasus Price

The KC-46 Pegasus unit cost is estimated at approximately 220 million USD, depending on configuration and contract lot.