{"id":26433,"date":"2018-01-25T23:19:51","date_gmt":"2018-01-25T23:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/01\/25\/the-air-forces-kc-46-tanker-is-almost-ready-for-primetime\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:51:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:51:22","slug":"the-air-forces-kc-46-tanker-is-almost-ready-for-primetime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2018\/01\/25\/the-air-forces-kc-46-tanker-is-almost-ready-for-primetime\/","title":{"rendered":"The Air Force\u2019s KC-46 tanker is almost ready for prime time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The head of Air Mobility Command said the KC-46 Pegasus is about 94 percent complete with tests needed for the aircraft\u2019s second \u2014 and final \u2014 FAA certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen. Carlton Everhart visited Boeing in Washington state to get a hands-on look at the Air Force\u2019s new refueling tanker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf everything stays on track and the weather holds, I think [Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration] can probably get everything done in the next 60 to 70 days, hopefully less,\u201d Everhart told Air Force Times on Wednesday after flying on the KC-46 for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four-star general, who has more than 4,500 flight hours, said he performed the takeoff and approached the landing under the guidance of test pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe get a lot of PowerPoint-deep presentations,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery now and then, you\u2019ve got to get out and smell the jet, look at the jet and understand what the test points are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In December, the FAA certified the 767-2C, which is the modified 767 commercial plane that forms the basis of the KC-46. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Amended Type Certificate verifies that the fundamental design of the tanker is safe, and it\u2019s one of two FAA certifications required for the tanker program. The Supplemental Type Certificate focuses on the military-specific equipment that\u2019s installed on the 767-2C aircraft to make it a tanker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the two FAA certifications, the KC-46 requires an Air Force-issued Military Type Certification that validates the airworthiness and safety of the military systems and equipment installed on the new tanker, AMC officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everhart estimates it will take about a month or so for Boeing to complete the testing required for the Supplemental Type Certificate. Then Boeing will turn the data over to the FAA, which should take about another month to give it the stamp of approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air Mobility Command’s Gen. Carlton Everhart, center, visits Boeing in Washington state for a flight on the KC-46 Pegasus refueling tanker. (Col. Chris Karns\/Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One purpose of Everhart\u2019s visit focused on assessing the flying quality and performance of the tanker, which Everhart praised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have flown airplanes that were older than I was when I came into military service,\u201d said Everhart, whose flying experience includes the C-17 and C-130 transport planes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The modernized airframe and responsiveness of the KC-46 impressed Everhart, who said it has game-changing technology, including more automation so pilots can focus on the mission. The tanker also has the potential to add new technology as it continues to develop, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everhart also wanted to check out the Remote Visual System, which allows the boom operator to sit near the front of the KC-46 and remotely operate the boom during mid-air refueling. The system was linked to one of the deficiencies discovered during testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This deficiency involved reports of the tanker\u2019s boom scraping the receiving aircraft during mid-air refueling. The boom, which extends into a receptacle on the receiving aircraft, in some cases was making contact outside of the receptacle and scratching the other plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could damage the receiving aircraft, especially if the KC-46 is refueling stealth jets like the F-22 and F-35 that are covered in a special coating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During testing, some of the boom contacts made outside of the receptacle were not detected by the boom operators through the visual system, AMC spokesman Col. Chris Karns said.<\/p>\n\n\n