Boeing's KC-46 aerial refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force will now be managed by a new company organization for enhanced development activities.

The new unit is BDS Development, which is patterned on the Airplane Development organization's Commercial Airplanes unit.

"This BDS Development organization is the next step in breaking the cost curve on our programs," said BDS President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Chadwick. "We expect our customers to see step-function improvements in affordability and schedule performance as we more effectively apply engineering expertise, development program best practices, and program management and integration from across Boeing to our most important development activities."

In addition to the KC-46 project, BDS will also oversee programs such as the Air Force's presidential aircraft program, CST-100 spacecraft for NASA's Commercial Crew program, NASA's Space Launch System rocket, which will take humans beyond Earth orbit, and Boeing's 502 small satellite effort.

Boeing said it expects more programs placed under BDS supervision in the future.