GE Aviation has secured a contract to provide advanced technologies in mission control systems for the Boeing KC-46A aircraft for the US Air Force (USAF) tanker replacement platform.

GE Aviation will deliver the mission control system, which includes flight management systems (FMS).

The GE FMS enables flying in shorter flight paths and idle-thrust descents, which reduce fuel consumption.

GE Aviation Systems president and CEO Lorraine Bolsinger said the flight management system would enable the aircraft to perform with navigation precision not currently available to the tanker fleet.

“Our technologies will help enhance operational efficiencies and enable the aircraft to perform to the demanding mission requirements of the USAF tanker,” she added.