GE Aviation signs contract for systems on Boeing KC-46A Tanker for U.S. Air Force

GE Aviation signed an agreement with Boeing, potentially worth up to $180m, to provide the mission control system for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-46A tanker. The agreement includes design, development and production throughout the life of the program. GE Aviation was selected for the mission control system including the flight management system (FMS). The FMS provides the ability to fly shorter flight paths and idle-thrust descents which reduce fuel consumption, while lowering emissions and reducing community noise impact. GE’s mission control system will provide the integrated communications management function to support air traffic management data link, including the first implementation of the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network on a US DoD air vehicle to facilitate efficient operations in the future NextGen airspace infrastructure.