25 January 2019

Boeing in talks with US Air Force over KC-46A technology improvement roadmap

by Pat Host

The US Air Force (USAF) and Boeing are discussing plans for a KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tanker technology improvement roadmap that could bring the new aircraft upgrades such as enhanced communications, more protective systems, and increased autonomy.

Mike Hafer, Boeing KC-46A global sales and marketing manager, told reporters on 24 January that another upgrade could be an autonomous refuelling boom that would remove the operator. He said that enhanced communications, such as cryptographic keys, could be included down the KC-46A production line in aircraft numbers 65–70. Hafer said it was too early to tell when the autonomous boom could be inserted into the production line.

The first KC-46A delivery, destined for the McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas, departs from Boeing's Everett, Washington, facility on 25 January. (IHS Markit/Pat Host)

Hafer said that this technology improvement roadmap is the genesis of Air Mobility Command (AMC), which he said has a long-range vision for the KC-46A. Boeing on 24 January marked the official delivery of the first two KC-46A aircraft with a delivery ceremony. The USAF accepted its first aircraft on 10 January.

The first delivery was a major accomplishment for Boeing as it was originally contracted to deliver 18 aircraft with nine pairs of wing aerial refuelling pods (WARPs) by August 2017 as part of the USAF’s required assets available (RAA) goal. Mike Gibbons, Boeing KC-46A vice-president, declined to say on 24 January when exactly he expected the company to reach the USAF’s required assets available (RAA) goal – a key milestone – but said he believed Boeing will deliver 18 aircraft in 2019.

The USAF did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.

The US Air Force (USAF) and Boeing are discussing plans for a KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tan...

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