WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita could receive its first KC-46 air refueling tanker later this month.

Boeing announced on Thursday that the Air Force has accepted the aircraft and signed the paperwork allowing deliveries to proceed. The tanker uses the Boeing 767 passenger airplane as its airframe.

The company says McConnell will receive the first four aircraft, all of which are ready for delivery. The next four aircraft are slated for Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

The long-awaited tankers replace KC-135 air refueling tankers used by McConnell's two air refueling wi...