KC-46 program completes Phase II receiver
certification testing

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Boeing photograph

Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus tanker refuels an F-15E aircraft during Phase II receiver certification testing out of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. A Boeing/U.S. Air Force team completed receiver certification
with F-16, KC-135, C-17, A-10, KC-46, B-52, F/A-18 and F-15E aircraft.

   Boeing’s KC-46 tanker program has com-          Evaluation testing next year,” said Mike Gib-       before ultimately “certifying” each aircraft.        Force Base in 2019. That testing will include
pleted its planned Phase II receiver certifica-    bons, Boeing KC-46A tanker vice president              “The Air Force crews were with us every step      additional receiver aircraft.
tion flight testing following three weeks of       and program manager. “We are seeing great
flights with F-15E aircraft out of Edwards Air     progress in both test and production and ex-        of the way during this critical testing,” said Jake     The KC-46, derived from Boeing’s commer-
Force Base, Calif.                                 pect the positive momentum to continue as we        Kwasnik, KC-46 test program manager. “It was         cial 767 airframe, is built in the company’s
                                                   begin delivering aircraft.”                         awesome to see everyone working together as          Everett, Wash., facility. Boeing is currently
   Boeing and U.S. Air Force KC-46 crews                                                               we conducted flights out of Boeing Field and         on contract for the first 52 of an expected 179
kicked off receiver certification testing with        During the certification flight tests, KC-46     also at Edwards and Minot Air Force bases.”          tankers for the U.S. Air Force.
F-16 aircraft in April 2018. Since then the        and receiver aircraft flew at different airspeeds,
joint team also completed testing with KC-135,     altitudes and configurations to ensure compat-         Six test aircraft have now completed more            The KC-46A is a multirole tanker that can
C-17, A-10, KC-46, B-52, and F/A-18 aircraft.      ibility and performance throughout the refuel-      than 3,700 flight hours and supplied more than       refuel all allied and coalition military aircraft
                                                   ing envelope of each receiver. Now, the Air         four million pounds of fuel in flight to receiver    compatible with international aerial refueling
   “This accomplishment is a tribute to the        Force and the Aerial Refueling Certification        aircraft.                                            procedures and can carry passengers, cargo
Boeing/U.S. Air Force team and helps set the       Agency will review all test data and paperwork                                                           and patients.
stage for the start of Initial Operational Test &                                                         Phase III receiver certification testing will
                                                                                                       be conducted by the Air Force at Edwards Air

December 7, 2018 • Volume 32, Issue 22             Serving the aerospace industry since 1986           Use your smartphone to connect to
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