The pentagon awarded Boeing today to deliver 179 Tanker aircraft for a total of 3.5 Billion dollar.

The contract has been a ongoing matter the last years where at first the deal was given to a consortium headed by European aircraft manufacturer EADS. After protests from Boeing the Pentagon reevaluated the offers and announced  today that US aircraft builder Boeing came out as the winner.

The first 18 aircraft should be delivered by 2017

The contract is one of the largest deals in American history.

Based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane, the KC-46A Tanker is a widebody, multi-mission aircraft updated with the latest and most advanced technology and capable of meeting or exceeding the Air Force’s needs for transport of fuel, cargo, passengers and patients. It includes state-of-the-art systems to meet the demanding mission requirements of the future, including a digital flight deck featuring Boeing 787 Dreamliner electronic displays and a flight control design philosophy that places aircrews in command rather than allowing computer software to limit combat maneuverability. The NewGen Tanker also features an advanced KC-10 boom with an expanded refueling envelope, increased fuel offload rate and fly-by-wire control system.