Boeing KC-46 Pegasus

I doubt that it would look like that Chris, I would think that it would more or less be a flying wing type design or somewhat like the Boeing unmanned naval tanker but with a flying boom.
 

USAF To Start Flight Testing KC-46 Pod Amid Mobility Data Push | Aviation Week Network

The U.S. Air Force is finally nearly ready to start flight testing a communications pod for the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.
aviationweek.com aviationweek.com

"…The service says this year it will fly the pod, known as ABMS Capability Release #1, which was first announced in 2020 as the initial planned deployment of a new data-focused system developed as part of ABMS. The pod will attach to the KC-46 and facilitate data sharing between F-35s and F-22s."
 
www.dvidshub.net

22 ARW completes first 45-hour nonstop KC-46 flight around the world

A 22nd Air Refueling Wing KC-46A Pegasus executed the world’s first nonstop, KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan, June 29-July 1 starting and finishing here. This flight was the latest Maximum Endurance Operation (MEO) for the KC-46A Pegasus, Air...
www.dvidshub.net www.dvidshub.net
 
Italy buying Airbus instead of Boeing, is that because of the current problems within Boeing? That will certainly be a change for Italy and perhaps a wakeup call for Boeing.
 
FighterJock said:
Italy buying Airbus instead of Boeing, is that because of the current problems within Boeing? That will certainly be a change for Italy and perhaps a wakeup call for Boeing.
Click to expand...

They aren't buying Airbus yet, they are considering a new competition rather than sole sourcing it to Boeing as originally planned. The original AM plan was to buy two new KC-46 to expand their fleet and upgrade their four KC-767As to KC-46s. But it isn't actually possible to perform an upgrade like that, they are totally different aircraft variants. While it would be possible to replace the KC-767A's RARO II RVS and boom, and avionics with the upgraded KC-46 systems, I suspect Boeing wouldn't be interested in taking on that business right now, similar to how the have rejected customer interest in a cargo only variant of the KC-46.

So from Italy's perspective, sole sourcing the acquisition lost a lot of steam, and they are going to cast a wider net by holding a competition.
 
totallyaverage said:
They aren't buying Airbus yet, they are considering a new competition rather than sole sourcing it to Boeing as originally planned. The original AM plan was to buy two new KC-46 to expand their fleet and upgrade their four KC-767As to KC-46s. But it isn't actually possible to perform an upgrade like that, they are totally different aircraft variants. While it would be possible to replace the KC-767A's RARO II RVS and boom, and avionics with the upgraded KC-46 systems, I suspect Boeing wouldn't be interested in taking on that business right now, similar to how the have rejected customer interest in a cargo only variant of the KC-46.

So from Italy's perspective, sole sourcing the acquisition lost a lot of steam, and they are going to cast a wider net by holding a competition.
Click to expand...
No, the aircrew would revolt if the expresso machine was removed to make it common with the KC-46 ;)
 
Reminds me when I was a logistic clerk at a low-cost airline with the name of Vxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa, and the night mechanics dropped a couple of coffee machines in my stock of spares and nuts and bolts - and other essential items of Airbus A319.
Wants some advice ?
Never, ever drink coffee onboard their planes. In the name of your stomach and guts survival. Sweet geez. The horror, the horror.
 
Japan – KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft

Japan – KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft | Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil www.dsca.mil
WASHINGTON, September 13, 2024 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.1 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to nine (9) KC-46A aircraft; up to eighteen (18) PW4062 turbofan engines; up to sixteen (16) AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers (RWRs); up to thirty-three (33) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTAs); and up to eighteen (18) LAIRCM system processor replacements. The following non-MDE items will also be included: missile warning sensors; Cartridge Actuated Devices and Propellent Actuated Devices (CAD/PADs); control interface units; User Data Module (UDM) cards; electronic warfare database support; KIV-77 crypto modules; KY-100 crypto terminals; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL); AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; communications equipment; Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINS); integration and test support and equipment; aircraft components, parts, and accessories; support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; training aids, devices, and spare parts; minor modifications and maintenance support; instruments and lab equipment; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; facilities and construction support; unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; jet fuel; transportation and airlift support; warranties; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $4.1 billion.
 
That will be bad news for Boeing the longer the strike goes on. The quicker it is resolved the better for all concerned.
 
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So according to the article the cracks were not discovered in critical flight control surfaces, that was what I was fearing when I first saw the above post before reading the article. It is bad enough that there are cracks in the jets.
 
FighterJock said:
So according to the article the cracks were not discovered in critical flight control surfaces, that was what I was fearing when I first saw the above post before reading the article. It is bad enough that there are cracks in the jets.
Click to expand...

The cracks are in both primary (load bearing) and secondary (non-load bearing) aerostructures. Saying at least there aren't any in the control surfaces is kinds like dropping an egg carton and saying at least one didn't break.
 
That is not good WatcherZero, I wonder how long it will take Boeing to repair the cracks and how long the affected KC-46s will remain grounded while they are being repaired.
 
The cracks are apparently in the wing trailing edge support structure, the structure that control surfaces hinges are fixed to. Developing cracks in this structure with age is a known fatigue problem on 767's but this is the first time they have ever seen it have cracks in freshly manufactured aircraft.
 
Let's wait and see what happens, it will be interesting to see who eventually wins the contract especially with all the trouble with the KC-46 in the present time.
 
www.flightglobal.com

USAF pauses KC-46 deliveries over structural cracks

The US Air Force, which operates 89 of the 767-derived tankers, has paused delivery of new aircraft after the discovery of structural cracks in two recently assembled jets that Boeing was preparing to turn over.
www.flightglobal.com www.flightglobal.com

Not sure how you end up with cracks in pre-delivery aircraft whose basic design is 46 years old.
 
DWG said:
www.flightglobal.com

USAF pauses KC-46 deliveries over structural cracks

The US Air Force, which operates 89 of the 767-derived tankers, has paused delivery of new aircraft after the discovery of structural cracks in two recently assembled jets that Boeing was preparing to turn over.
www.flightglobal.com www.flightglobal.com

Not sure how you end up with cracks in pre-delivery aircraft whose basic design is 46 years old.
Click to expand...
Boeing has been and is having lots of problems across the board in the commercial sector. A good friend of mine and former Navy buddy early retired from Boeing about 1.5 years ago (after 32 years), couldn't take it longer. The first 20 years, great (working the 747 wing line), the final 12, terrible and it does not look like its getting any better unfortunately.
 

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