Boeing Views Wichita Closure As 'Opportunity' For KC-46

Though a senior U.S. Air Force official has cautioned that Boeing’s plan to close its tanker finishing facility in Wichita presents a risk to the $51.7 billion KC-135 replacement effort, the company’s program manager views the shift as an opportunity to reduce cost and gain schedule margin. “After 16 months [since contract award], I am feeling really good,” says Maureen Dougherty, KC-46 vice president for Boeing, during her first interview since the company won the $4.9 billion development contract last year. “Whenever a change is made in the program, you look at it as an opportunity to look at your plan and continue to provide efficiencies over time.” ...