KC-46 Pegasus: An Analysis of the US Air Force's New Aerial Refueler

KC-135

The KC-135 Stratotanker is one of the current aerial refueling aircraft for the United States Air Force. Based off of Boeing’s 707, the KC-135 first entered service more than fifty years ago, and as of now the US Air Force is looking to retire sixteen KC-135s. Not surprisingly, the next tanker, the KC-46 Pegasus, is a militarized version of Boeing's 767.

KC-46 Nellis AFB Red Flag 2013
U.S. Air Force Photo by Lawrence Crespo

                    KC-46 Features and Upgrades

The KC-46 differs greatly from its fifty-year old predecessor the KC-135

First of all the KC-46 possesses 12,000 more pounds of fuel and a fly by wire (computer aided) refueling system.

The KC-46 is also equipped with a permanent boom as well as probe and drogue system. The KC-135 cannot have both refueling systems at the same time. A boom refueling system is a telescoping tube which can be controlled by an operator on the tanker. A probe and drogue system on the other hand is a  long hose with a drogue or windsock at the end, which stabilizes the system.

Two F-15s Refueling from a Boom on a KC-135
U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Worley

KC-135J With Probe and Drogues Refueling Two F-35s
Photo from Lockheed Martin Flicker

Although, the KC-130 has the capability to attach wing pods in order to refuel multiple aircraft at the same time, only twenty tankers have this capability. All KC-46 tankers are equipped with the ability to attach wing pods.

Along with increased fuel capacity, the KC-46 tanker can hold three times as many cargo pallets (18) as the KC-135, almost twice as many passengers (114), and fifty-four medical patients unlike the KC-135 which can only hold fifty-four patients.

In addition the KC-46 is able to protect itself from nuclear and biochemical threats as well as heat seeking missiles. The KC-135 does not possess any of those features.

Lastly, the KC-46 has the capability to refuel at night. Again the KC-135 does not have this capability.

KC-46 Schedule and Delays

The first KC-46 is expected this November after wiring problems costing Boeing $272 million dollars caused delays in August. Although the Air Force expressed distress when it came to this delay, Boeing has been able to meet all other checkpoints and milestones.

The first eighteen tankers are planned to be built by 2017. Every year after that, the amount of tankers built will be increased by fifteen until all 179 tankers are built. 2027 is the projected date for the construction of all KC-46 Pegasus aircraft.

Along with U.S. sales, Boeing has also received bids for the KC-46 from South Korea and Poland. If these bids go through Boeing will most likely begin international deliveries in 2018.



Sources:
http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/652430.pdf
http://www.seattlepi.com/business/boeing/article/First-Boeing-KC-135R-tanker-retired-after-more-4310083.php
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2014/09/17/air-force-disappointed-in-boeing-tanker-delays.html?page=all
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/497460/air-force-leadership-confident-in-kc-46-program.aspx
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2014/09/03/boeing-kc-46-tanker-exports-to-poland-possible.html
http://www.nellis.af.mil