Boeing has awarded two subcontracts to Cobham to deliver development hardware for the US Air Force’s new KC-46 tanker aircraft.

Under the $73m award, Cobham will provide the hose and drogue aerial refuelling system for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the KC-46 programme.

Deliveries on the EMD phase are projected to commence in 2014, while low-rate initial production is slated for 2015.

Manufacturing activity for the contract will be carried out by Cobham Mission Equipment at its air to air refuelling centre of excellence in Davenport, Iowa, US.

Cobham expects to fot out each of the 179 aircraft, which the US Air Force plans to acquire from Boeing under KC-46 programme, with a centreline drogue system.