FIRST AIR REFUELING TEST FOR KC-46A

The new Boeing KC-46A Pegasus has successfully passed the first air-to-air refueling test of an F-16 fighter jet using the advanced boom, a rigid telescopic tube at the rear of the plane.

Boeing KC-46A Pegasus

The flight test took place over the skies of Washington, the boom was controlled by Sgt. Lindsay Moon, sitting at a computer station just behind the cockpit. 3-D video image provided by high-resolution cameras, placed at the base of the tail of the plane, allowing the arm to drive up fuel nozzle outlet on the front of the aircraft receiver.

In the current tanker as the KC-135, the operator boom is positioned at the rear of the aircraft with a window that allows a direct view of the aircraft receiver.

In the coming days, Boeing has a second test flight to supply the large transport aircraft C-17 and then an A-10, an F/A-18 and an AV-8B Harrier using probes placed in the wings.
Finally, the KC-46 will test the receive fuel from KC-10 tanker.

Boeing will supply successfully all 6 types of military jets to get the formal go-ahead by the US Air Force beginning your production, the decision will be made next April.

The KC-46A Pegasus was born from the cell of the famous commercial aircraft Boeing 767-200ER and it will replace, starting from the year 2017 with the first 18 units, all 179 KC-135 Stratotanker currently serving in the U.S. Air Force. It's a multi-role aircraft that besides the aerial refueling can carry passengers, cargo and patients.
Source and Pics: Boeing Defense
Powered by Blogger.