KC-46 Pegasus returns to Edwards for flight tests

by Kenji Thuloweit                                  warfighter increased flexibility. Testing being                                                                                                                                Air Force photographs by Christopher Okula
Edwards AFB, Calif.                                 accomplished at Edwards now will enable that
                                                    capability.”                                       Top: A KC-46A Pegasus test aircraft touched down at Edwards May 23 for another round of testing.
   A KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft                                                          The new aerial refueling aircraft is intended to start replacing the Air Force’s aging tanker fleet, which
touched down at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.,        Several units from both on and off base are     has been refueling aircraft for more than 50 years. Above: A KC-46A Pegasus approaches Edwards.
May 23, 2018, for flight tests.                     supporting the tests, with the 412th Test Wing as
                                                    the lead developmental test organization for the
   The plan is to have the Pegasus at Edwards       KC-46 program.
Air Force Base through June, as Boeing and the
418th Flight Test Squadron conduct tests with the      “The KC-46 is still an experimental aircraft
new tanker.                                         owned by Boeing, so they brought with them an
                                                    army of engineers, maintainers and aircrew. This
   While the role of the KC-46 is to refuel other   is a team effort across the entire test wing and
aircraft, it too may need to be refueled from KC-   with Boeing,” Calhoun said.
10s or KC-135s to extend its range.
                                                       The KC-46A has visited Edwards for tests be-
   “The primary focus of the current test effort    fore and tests have been conducted at its Boeing
is certifying the KC-46 as a receiver aircraft be-  home in Washington state, but this visit aims to
hind the KC-135 (Stratotanker),” said Lt. Col.      be the start of a more robust test schedule, con-
Paul Calhoun, 418th FLTS commander. “As a
fully air-refuelable tanker, the KC-46 offers the                              See TANKER, Page 2

June 15, 2018 • Volume 32, Issue 10                 Serving the aerospace industry since 1986          Use your smartphone to connect to
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