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MUKILTEO, WASHINGTON (BNS): The Boeing KC-46 Tanker program has successfully completed its Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) with the US Air Force.

The assessment, attended by senior Air Force program officials, validated the program’s technical scope and finalized key milestones for the design and development phase of the Air Force's next-generation aerial refueling tanker, Boeing said.

With IBR complete, the program now will focus on milestones that include a Preliminary Design Review in the first quarter of 2012, a Critical Design Review in the third quarter of 2013, and the KC-46 tanker's first flight in early 2015.

Boeing received a contract to build 179 next-generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft that will begin to replace the Air Force's fleet of 416 KC-135 tankers. The contract calls for Boeing to design, develop, manufacture and deliver 18 initial combat-ready tankers by 2017.

Based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane, the KC-46 tanker is a widebody, multi-mission aircraft updated with the latest and most advanced technology to meet the demanding mission requirements of the future.