Rockwell Collins has signed a contract with Boeing to provide a range of advanced avionics and mission equipment for KC-46 aerial refuelling tankers being built for the USAF.

Under the contract, the company will provide the flight deck, aircraft networks, surveillance / air traffic management equipment, communications and navigation gear.

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The company will also provide a tactical situational awareness system to the crew for advanced situational awareness to avoid threats and for awareness of friendly entities.

A remote vision system with a combination of 3D and 2D technology in both normal and long wave infrared spectrums will also be provided for aerial refuelling at any time, day or night, under any lighting conditions.

The US Air Force had originally awarded a contract to Boeing to build 179 KC-46A aerial refuelling tanker aircraft to replace its ageing KC-135 tankers.

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