Aviation Week reports that the US Air Force “has cleared the KC-46 to refuel five more aircraft types as part of a rollout of interim capabilities before the tanker is fully operational. U.S. Transportation Command can now task the KC-46 to refuel AC-130Js, HC-130Js, MC-130Js, C-5Ms and E-3Gs.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Tag: KC-46
KC-46 Approved for TRANSCOM Missions
Air Force Times reported that Air Mobility Command announced Friday that the KC-46 Pegasus tanker “is now able to refuel the Air Force’s fourth-generation fighter jets during missions for U.S. Transportation Command, expanding the service’s air refueling capacity and the capability of its newest tanker.”
Full Story (Air Force Times)
US Air Force Approves KC-46 to Perform Limited Refueling Operations
Air Force Times reported that the US Air Force “has approved the Boeing KC-46 tanker to move into limited operations with its centerline drogue system, allowing the aircraft to be tasked for everyday refueling missions that meet certain criteria.” Air Mobility Command Commander Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost said, “The last six months of operational use and programmatic evaluation indicate conditions have been met for (interim capability release) declaration of the Centerline Drogue System mission set. … This decision reflects a risk-informed, data-driven, constraint-analyzed approach to releasing KC-46A operational capabilities to the joint force.” The Air Force “plans to declare full operational capability only after its six critical deficiencies are resolved. At earliest, this will occur in 2023 when The Boeing Company begins delivering KC-46s equipped with a new remote vision system, which provides visual imagery to boom operators during a refueling.”
Full Story (Air Force Times)