This is a really big one…the original replacement plan for the KC-135 involved three separate competitions: KC-X, KC-Y and KC-Z. The winner of the (very contentious!) KC-X competition was the KC-46. It appears the Air Force has decided to skip the KC-Y competition and instead expand the KC-46 purchase. Hopefully, the AF has confidence in Boeing to smooth out the production issues with an expanded buy. This will no doubt feed the rumor mills at various Guard/Reserve units slated for KC-135 replacements in the coming years!

defenseone.com

Air Force will buy more KC-46s, skip competition

The service is mulling whether to move away from fixed-priced on the next buy.