Page 1 - Aerotech News and Review, Dec. 6, 2019

Aerotech News
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KC-46 undergoes WARPs testing at Edwards

Air Force photograph by Giancarlo Casem
A KC-46 Pegasus is parked at a ramp at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., with a Wing Aerial Refueling Pod (WARP) on each wing. The KC-46 Pegasus recently finished WARPs testing with an AV-8B
and F-18D/G. The WARPs system allows the Pegasus to simultaneously refuel two aircraft via drogue chutes.

by Giancarlo Casem ‘out of the fight.’” ceiver. The fuel system is evaluated to determine precise act of connecting the two aircraft,” he
Edwards AFB, Calif. Following successful completion of the con- if the fuel pressures and fuel flow rates that are said. “With WARPs, the boom operator deploys
nections, engineers have a multitude of data to being provided to the receiver are acceptable.” and monitors the basket, but the receiver pilot
One of the KC-46 Pegasus’ key features was review before it is certified by the Aerial Re- Additionally, the hose markings, signal lights, is responsible for the final act of connecting the
successfully tested recently at Edwards Air Force fueling Certification Agency. Engineers have and tanker lighting are evaluated for proper vi- aircraft.”
Base, Calif. to evaluate the performance of WARPs prior to sual cues and operator situational awareness. The WARPs use a drogue chute system for
The Wing Aerial Refueling Pods (WARPs) fielding the capability to the warfighter; this in- These evaluations are done at various altitudes, refueling. The receiving pilot then has to make
were successfully tested with an AV-8B, F-18D, cludes looking at the free air stability, the hose airspeeds, tanker gross weights, and time of day small corrections to line up the drogue basket
and F-18G. The WARPs allows the Pegasus to reel response, the fuel system, and the human to ensure the system responds properly, safely, to the receiver’s probe. The airflow around the
simultaneously refuel two aircraft at the same factors. and any pertinent warnings, cautions, and/or receiver aircraft often causes the basket to sud-
time, which makes it a force multiplier. “The free air stability of the hose and drogue notes are documented for fleet operations, he denly move unpredictably, Lambach said.
“With WARPs, the KC-46 will be able to are evaluated during extension, while fully ex- said. “Hitting a bullseye is tough; it’s even tougher
refuel two fighter aircraft at the same time; as tended, and during retraction to ensure a safe From a pilot’s perspective, not much changes, when the target moves at the last minute,” he
opposed to a centerline drogue system, where environment for the receiver,” said Nathan Lambach said. Their goal is still to fly the air- said.
only one aircraft can refuel at a time,” said Maj. Montoya, aerial refueling engineer, 418th FLTS. craft as smoothly as possible to make the boom Mid-air refueling with multiple aircraft pres-
Jacob Lambach, KC-46 experimental test pi- “The receiver handling qualities are evaluated in operator and receiver pilot’s job easier. Lambach ents other various challenges for the aircrews
lot, 418th Flight Test Squadron. “Fighter pilots the tanker wake environment and any differences explained that for the boom operator and receiver involved, Montoya added.
usually show up in pairs and each has to watch between the left and right WARPs are noted. pilot, the difference between boom air refueling “The biggest challenge when testing with dual
and wait while their wingman refuels. Fighters’ The WARPs hose reel response (how the sys- and WARPs is drastic. WARPs is making sure there is always positive
combat mission isn’t to sit behind the tanker; it’s tem takes up hose slack) is evaluated at various “In boom air refueling, the receiver pilot communications and situational awareness be-
to fight. If we can refuel them both at the same contact rates, and hose lengths to ensure no ex- flies to a defined area behind the tanker aircraft,
time, they each only spend half as much time cessive slack builds up which can damage the re- then the boom operator is responsible for the See TANKER, Page 3

December 6, 2019 • Volume 33, Issue 21 Serving the aerospace industry since 1986 Use your smartphone to connect to
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