Sylvie Willis
The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is an American military aerial refueling aircraft. The tanker connects multi-domain warfighters, providing tactical situational awareness and real-time information superiority. The KC-46A delivers more fuel at all ranges and from shorter runways than the KC-135 aircraft it’s replacing. The KC-46A tanker is approved by the U.S. Air Force for global deployments, including combat operations. The KC-46A can carry 212,299 pounds (96,297 kg) of fuel, 10 percent more than the KC-135.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Boeing KC-46 Pegasus |
| Aircraft Type | Military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft |
| Based On | Boeing 767 jet airliner |
| Fuel Capacity | 212,299 pounds (96,297 kg) |
| Features | Manual flight controls, Infrared countermeasures, Limited electronic warfare capabilities |
| Refueling Mechanism | Rear-mounted refueling boom, Wing-mounted drogue pods, Centerline drogue system |
| Boom Design | Hydraulic relief valve system, PQ valve to address "stiff boom" issue |
| Operators | U.S. Air Force, Japan, Israel |
| Production | Supported by over 650 American businesses and 37,000 workers across 40+ U.S. states |
| Deployment Status | 93 in service globally, 168 on contract |
| Upgrade | Block 1 upgrade for advanced communications and data connectivity |
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What You'll Learn
The KC-46A Pegasus tanker's design and development
The KC-46A Pegasus is an American military aerial refuelling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing. It is based on the Boeing 767 airliner and is the USAF's newest refuelling tanker. The KC-46A is the first phase in recapitalizing the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker fleet.
The KC-46A tanker is approved by the U.S. Air Force for global deployments, including combat operations. It delivers more fuel at all ranges and from shorter runways than the KC-135 aircraft it is replacing. The KC-46A can carry 212,299 pounds (96,297 kg) of fuel, 10% more than the KC-135. It also has enhanced survivability with infrared countermeasures and limited electronic warfare capabilities.
The development of the KC-46A began in 2011, with the first flight occurring in 2014. In August 2013, Boeing and the USAF completed a critical design review (CDR) for the KC-46, allowing production and testing to proceed. The first fully equipped KC-46 was projected to fly in early 2015, with 18 combat-ready tankers to be delivered by August 2017. However, there were delays due to wiring and fuel system flaws, and the first aircraft was delivered to the USAF in January 2019.
The KC-46A features a refueling boom at the rear, along with wing-mounted drogue pods and a centerline drogue system under the rear fuselage, enabling both boom and drogue refueling in a single mission. It also has manual flight controls, ensuring unrestricted maneuverability to evade threats. The Pegasus tanker is equipped with data links and Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) integration, providing tactical situational awareness and real-time information superiority.
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How the KC-46A delivers more fuel than the KC-135
The KC-46A Pegasus is an American military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. The KC-46A delivers more fuel than the KC-135 at all ranges and from shorter runways. It also takes up less ramp space than competing tankers, ensuring mission reach from forward and austere airfields. The KC-46A can carry 212,299 pounds (96,297 kg) of fuel, which is 10% more than the KC-135.
The KC-46A has the ideal size and capability to get more booms in the air throughout the operational theater. The KC-46A has aerial refueling systems and the capacity to support the full spectrum of missions. It features boom and hose-and-drogue systems capable of refueling all U.S., allied, and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. The KC-46A is also the only tanker that meets stringent U.S. civil and military aviation requirements.
The KC-46A is equipped with data links and Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) integration, connecting multi-domain warfighters and providing tactical situational awareness and real-time information superiority. The tanker also has multiple layers of defensive countermeasures to detect, avoid, defeat, and survive threats, strengthening its ability to deliver fuel and data at the tactical edge.
The KC-46A has lower acquisition, operations, and sustainment costs than any existing widebody aerial refueler and offers unrivaled interoperability for mission success. The operating cost of four KC-46A tankers is the same as just three larger refuelers, allowing operators to bring more fuel to the fight. The KC-46A also has a modernized fly-by-wire boom that offers a three-times-larger receiver envelope than the KC-135.
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The KC-46A's lower acquisition, operations and sustainment costs
The KC-46A Pegasus Tanker is an American military aerial refuelling and strategic military transport aircraft. It was selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) in February 2011 to replace older Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers. The KC-46A is designed to deliver fuel, data and multi-mission capability for the U.S. and its allies.
The KC-46A has lower acquisition, operations and sustainment costs than any existing widebody aerial refueler. The operating cost of four KC-46A tankers is the same as just three larger refuelers, meaning more fuel can be brought to the fight. The KC-46A's supply chain includes over 650 American businesses and 37,000 American workers across more than 40 U.S. states. This robust supply chain supports the aircraft's lower acquisition, operations and sustainment costs.
The KC-46A also delivers more fuel at all ranges and from shorter runways than the KC-135 aircraft it is replacing, while utilizing less ramp space than competing tankers. This ensures mission reach from forward and austere airfields. The KC-46A's ability to deliver more fuel than the KC-135 is due in part to its ability to carry 212,299 pounds (96,297 kg) of fuel, 10% more than the KC-135.
The KC-46A's lower costs are further enhanced by its ability to efficiently integrate new capabilities and advanced technology through its in-line production. The Air Force and Boeing are investing in a Block 1 upgrade of additional advanced communications capabilities to further enhance the Pegasus’s data connectivity and situational awareness.
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The KC-46A's advanced technology and capabilities
The KC-46A Pegasus is an advanced multi-mission aerial refuelling aircraft, developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. It has been selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) to replace the older KC-135 Stratotankers. The KC-46A boasts a range of advanced technology and capabilities that enhance its combat readiness and operational effectiveness.
The KC-46A has a fuel capacity of 212,299 pounds (96,297 kg), which is 10% more than the KC-135. This enables the KC-46A to perform the full spectrum of refuelling missions and, to date, it has offloaded over 100 million pounds of fuel globally. The aircraft is equipped with both boom and drogue refuelling systems, allowing for flexible refuelling operations. The boom provides a receiver envelope three times larger than the KC-135, enhancing its refuelling capabilities.
The KC-46A also features advanced defensive systems, including infrared countermeasures and limited electronic warfare capabilities, which enhance its survivability. It is equipped with data links and Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) integration, providing tactical situational awareness and real-time information superiority. The aircraft has unmatched interoperability, connecting multi-domain warfighters and enabling data exchange.
The KC-46A is designed for combat agility, with manual flight controls ensuring unrestricted manoeuvrability to evade threats. It has a robust supply chain, with support from over 650 American businesses and 37,000 workers across 40 US states. The aircraft also offers lower acquisition, operations, and sustainment costs compared to other widebody aerial refuellers.
The KC-46A is equipped with large 15-inch displays, similar to the Boeing 787, enabling pilots to optimise flight parameters for critical decision-making. It provides space for 15 crew members and can convert between cargo, passenger, and aeromedical evacuation modes within two hours. The KC-46A is a versatile and advanced aircraft, meeting the stringent requirements of the USAF and its allies for a wide range of missions.
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The KC-46A's supply chain and American businesses involved
The KC-46A Pegasus is an American military aerial refuelling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing. The KC-46A tanker is approved by the U.S. Air Force for global deployments, including combat operations. The KC-46A supply chain includes over 650 American businesses and 37,000 American workers across more than 40 U.S. states.
The KC-46A tanker has a robust supply chain, with Boeing at the forefront of its production and assembly. The tanker's design and development involved overcoming several challenges, including wiring and fuel system flaws, which caused delays and increased costs. However, Boeing worked closely with the USAF to address these issues and ensure the tanker's successful deployment.
The KC-46A offers enhanced capabilities compared to its predecessor, the KC-135. It can carry 96,297 kg of fuel, a 10% increase, and has improved survivability features, such as infrared countermeasures and limited electronic warfare capabilities. The aircraft's manual flight controls provide unrestricted manoeuvrability to evade threats.
The KC-46A also boasts advanced technology, such as data links and Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) integration, enabling it to connect multi-domain warfighters and provide tactical situational awareness. The tanker's ability to exchange data and provide real-time information enhances its strategic value.
The KC-46A has been described as a "game-changer" for its data exchange capabilities and defensive countermeasures. Its ability to integrate new technologies ensures that it remains adaptable to evolving mission requirements. The tanker's versatility extends beyond refuelling, as it can also receive fuel, significantly extending its range and flexibility for global operations.
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Frequently asked questions
The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is an American military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft.
The KC-46A Pegasus has a refueling boom at the rear of the aircraft, complemented by wing-mounted drogue pods and a centerline drogue system under the rear fuselage, enabling both boom and drogue refueling in a single mission.
The KC-46A air refueling receiver certifications include: AV-8B, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-5, C-17, C-130, C-135, CV-22, E-3, E-8, EA-18, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, F-35, KC-10, KC-46, KC-135, P-8A, and V-22.
The KC-46A can carry 212,299 pounds (96,297 kg) of fuel, 10 percent more than the KC-135.
More than 37,000 American workers and 650 small businesses in 43 states supply the thousands of components needed to build the KC-46A Pegasus.
