USAF approves KC-46 correction plan, resumes tanker acceptance

The Air Force has approved a corrective action plan for the Boeing-built KC-46 tanker after foreign object debris was discovered on the company's production line last month.

"A KC-46 Pegasus will be delivered to Altus [Air Force Base], Oklahoma, today following completion of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) sweeps on Boeing KC-46 aircraft going through the acceptance process," Air Mobility Command spokeswoman Rose Riley said in a March 11 statement. "The Air Force Service Acquisition Executive and AMC Commander received an outbrief of the Defense Contract Management Agency-approved Corrective Action Plan March 11. As directed by the CAP, subsequent deliveries will occur as Boeing successfully completes each aircraft's inspections and actions assigned from today's review."

Air Force acquisition executive Will Roper told reporters March 1 the service was waiting for additional information from Boeing about improvements to its FOD-prevention processes before approving additional deliveries.

The Seattle Times first reported the acceptance pause, which was put in place in early February after eight tools were found in Air Force tankers.