House lawmakers urge support for KC-46 procurement

In an April 30 letter signed by 50 congressional representatives, lawmakers urged the leaders of the House Armed Services Committee and House Appropriations defense subcommittee to support the Air Force's plans to procure 18 KC-46 tankers in 2019.

"As the committees consider annual authorization and appropriations, we respectfully urge you to support the procurement of 18 tankers," the letter states. "The current, aging fleet is in dire need of both new and additional assets, and we ask for your continued strong support for KC-46A tankers in the Fiscal Year 2019 Defense Authorization and Appropriations bills."

The program had anticipated delivery of the first 18 tankers in August 2017, but revised that schedule last year to October 2018. After a recent schedule risk assessment, the service now expects the jets to arrive in May 2019.