Meta Aerospace awarded NAVAIR aerial refuelling contract
The third Meta Aerospace KC-135R in company colours depart Singapore’s Paya Lebar Air Base on 16 August. (Eric Kuan)
Meta Aerospace announced on 30 July that a consortium between its Strategic Mobility team and CASS Professional Services had been awarded a commercial aerial refuelling service contract by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
Meta Aerospace confirmed in October 2020 that it had acquired four former Republic of Singapore Air Force Boeing KC-135R tankers. These had served for 19 years before being withdrawn in July 2019.
Following overhaul by ST Engineering, three KC-135Rs have been received by Meta Aerospace thus far. The third KC-135 in full Meta Strategic Mobility colours was ferried out from Singapore on 16 August.
Two
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
Saab’s GlobalEye gains ground as Canada’s aircraft procurement tilts towards Europe
Canada’s interest in negotiating a procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft signals its readiness to reduce its reliance on US defence technology as trade tensions with its North American neighbour mount.
-
US Air Force CCA programme to achieve multiple milestones in the coming months
The US Air Force is preparing to select mission-autonomy software, fire a missile from the FQ-42 Vengeance and test both CCA designs alongside crewed fighters at 2026 Emerald Flag.
-
Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?
The two sixth-generation fighter programmes could battle for engineering talent and production lines before deliveries begin, testing Boeing’s industrial expansion plans.
-
September drone digest: attrition-tolerant aircraft pitched to replace the Reaper
The loss of many MQ-9 Reapers during the 2026 Iran War has underscored the risks of sending relatively expensive UAVs into contested airspace. In September, new contenders to replace the Reaper emerged, championing cheaper, modular aircraft designs for mass production and inevitable attrition.