Boeing Tanker Now FAA-Certified

The FAA has granted a Supplemental Type Certificate to Boeing's KC-46 tanker, the company announced this week. The STC is the second of two FAA certifications required for the aircraft. Next, Boeing will seek a Military Type Certificate from the U.S. Air Force, which is expected in the next few months. The required testing already has been completed. Once that certificate is received, the aircraft will be ready to fly, Boeing said.

Boeing said it is currently on contract for the first 34 of an expected 179 tankers for the USAF. The KC-46 will refuel military aircraft in flight, and also will be able to take on fuel to extend its range. Deliveries are expected to begin in October, with a total cost of about $44 billion, according to a recent government report. The KC-46 is derived from Boeing's commercial 767 airframe and built in the company's facility in Everett, Washington.