The US Department of Defense has contracted Boeing to deliver more than $7 billion worth of military aircraft, including AH-64E Apache helicopters for the US Army and additional KC-46A Pegasus refueling and strategic transport aircraft for the US Air Force. These awards build on several other recent Boeing contracts, such as MH-47G special operations helicopters, CH-47F Chinooks for the Army, and support work tied to international foreign military sales programs. The Army’s portion of the latest awards totals $4.6 billion under a firm-fixed-price contract that covers new AH-64E production, Longbow crew training systems, spare parts, and sustaining support. Manufacturing will be carried out in Mesa, Arizona, with completion targeted for May 2032. Roughly $2.2 billion of this funding will support foreign military sales customers including Poland, Egypt, and Kuwait. The agreement extends the Apache production line several years beyond its previously expected 2028 conclusion. The AH-64E represents the most advanced version of the Apache family, which has accumulated more than five million flight hours since its introduction in the 1980s. The helicopter’s modular open-architecture design enables rapid upgrades to avionics, sensors, targeting systems, and weapons, helping it stay relevant in modern, high-threat environments. Boeing also secured a $2.4-billion contract modification to produce the next lot of KC-46A Pegasus tankers. This package includes 15 aircraft and associated mobility data system licenses, with work taking place in Seattle until June 2029. The new award brings total KC-46 procurement to 183 aircraft worldwide. Based on the Boeing 767 platform, the KC-46 is a key component of the Air Force’s long-term plan to replace its aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers, some of which have been in service since the 1950s. Although the tanker has encountered multiple technical issues—particularly with its Remote Vision System and refueling boom—the Air Force continues to advance production to avoid capability gaps as it modernizes its aerial refueling fleet.
