Boeing, U.S. Air Force Complete KC-46 Tanker Refueling Flight with F/A-18
A combined Boeing/U.S. Air Force aircrew aboard the KC-46 tanker successfully refueled an F/A-18 aircraft in flight February 10th. The air refueling was the program’s first using the KC-46’s hose and drogue system. During the 4+ hour flight, the tanker’s air refueling operator smoothly transferred fuel to the F/A-18 flying at 20,000 feet.
The KC-46 will refuel U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft using both its boom and hose and drogue systems. The boom allows the tanker to transfer up to 1,200 gallons of fuel per minute, while the plane’s hose and drogue systems, located on both the plane’s wing and centerline, enables the KC-46 to refuel smaller aircraft such as the F/A-18 with up to 400 gallons of fuel per minute.
On January 24, the KC-46 refueled an F-16 fighter using its air refueling boom. The refueling flights are part of the program’s Milestone C demonstration, which will lead to a low-rate initial production decision later this year.
Boeing plans to build 179 KC-46 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
Source: Boeing
Share the post "Boeing, U.S. Air Force Complete KC-46 Tanker Refueling Flight with F/A-18"
Using Social Media Marketing for Hiring
2016 weren’t easy for airlines around the globe that continue to struggle with ways of finding pilots to fill cockpit seats. 2017 is expected to be an even more pressing year, as Boeing, Airbus and other manufacturers keep accelerating their production, while the already small pool of qualified FOs and PICs grows at a significantly slower pace....
Publishing or copying the content of AVIATION Times without a written electronic permission is strictly forbidden. If you have any information, tips, videos, photos or your press releases for us contact us at news@aviation-times.aero.
AVIATION TIMES © Copyright 2012 - 2024
