NewGen Tanker and B-2

The U.S. Air Force has named the winner in the hotly contested competition to build its next-generation aerial tanker: Boeing. Under the contract signed yesterday, the American aerospace giant will get $3.5 billion for starters, and for that sum is expected to deliver four aircraft. Eventually, though, Boeing stands to bring in $30 billion for the manufacture of 179 of the tankers, to be designated the KC-46A.

This artist's rendering by Boeing shows what it's been calling the NewGen Tanker refueling a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.