Page 8 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 8-21-15

Desert Wings
8 www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb
TANKER, from 1
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a combination of a boom test unit
that connects to a surge test tool. WHPVZRXOGXVHLQÀLJKW,QWKH
The surge test tool in essence is
a multi-pronged flow diverter
that simulates a variety of fuel
receiver classes seen in different
airplanes.
Using that set up, fuel was
sent through the boom of each
aircraft and stabilized at a spe-
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Then, they deliberately gener-
ated surge pressures in the fuel
lines to determine the maximum
surge pressure a receiver would
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KC-135.
With the use of different sized
fuel lines and varying valve clo-
sure rates, the test team was able
to simulate everything from a
light and fast fighter plane re-
ceiver, to a heavy, slow cargo-
type receiver.
While the purpose of the test
was not to simulate the flight
conditions, they used the same
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$LU)RUFHSKRWRJUDSKE\%UDG:KLWH support from Scott Air Force
ditions that aerial refueling sys-
aircraft there was a full air crew,
including a test conductor, dis-
cipline engineer, boom operator,
pilot, and in the case of the KC-
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According to Almeleh, there
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test from more than ten shops
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Squadron, Petroleum Oils and Lu-
bricants, AGE Flight, Special In-
strumentation, the 412th Mainte-
were off-loaded between the two
412th Civil Engineering Group,
NASA and the Air Drop shop.
“It was a huge choreographed
opera of support equipment with
Aerospace Ground Equipment
and maintenance teams and
hydraulic mules,” said Robert
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engineer.
They also received Logistical
Base, Ill., maintainers from Tra-
vis AFB, Calif., air crew support
from Air Force Reserve Com-
mand and 10 Boeing employees
from Seattle. At any given time,
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pieces of ground equipment be-
ing used for the test.
All of that was done at night,
due to heat restrictions.
By the end of the test the KC-
135 off-loaded 500,000 pounds
of fuel over four nights and
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poungs of fuel over two nights.
In all, 1,215,000 pounds of fuel
aircraft over six nights.
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tested by the 412th Test Wing at
Boeing Field in Seattle, Wash.
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will arrive at Edwards in stages,
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be stationed at Edwards for 1-2
years while they conduct aerial
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facturing Development aircraft
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Paine Field in Everett, Wash., to
Boeing Field in Seattle.
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freighter and the critical building
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aerial refueler.
“One of the biggest changes
between the legacy platforms
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a complete remake of how the
boom is controlled,” said Schlein.
The boom operators will no
longer rely on a window view in
the back of the aircraft. Instead,
there is an air refueling operator’s
August 21, 2015
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G L I I H U H Q W station behind the cockpit that cally,” said Almeleh. “The tanker
uses video cameras, panoramic fleet we have now is based on
and 3D cameras to provide a 3D Cold War Era technology and it’s
picture of the back, which is a time to upgrade and bring it into
“revolutionary change.” the 21st century.”
“The situational awareness The Air Force contracted with
WKDWWKH\KDYHLVVLJQL¿FDQWO\LQ- Boeing in February 2011 to ac-
creased because they now have TXLUH.&UHIXHOLQJWDQN-
the ability to see over a 180-de- ers to begin recapitalizing the ag-
gree view using these panoramic LQJWDQNHUÀHHW7KHVXUJHWHVWLQJ
cameras,” said Almeleh. “Special was an early but important step
glasses, along with the remote vi- toward meeting the required as-
sion system, allow [the boom op- sets available date — a milestone
erator] to see depth perception in UHTXLULQJ.&DLUFUDIWDQG
three dimensions of the aircraft all necessary support equipment
while he’s making contact [with to be on the ramp, ready to sup-
the receiver].” SRUWZDU¿JKWHUQHHGVE\$XJXVW
The Pegasus is also equipped
with infrared cameras allowing “The support and knowledge
for night vision refueling for that Edwards has is unbeliev-
WKH¿UVWWLPHE\D86$LU)RUFH able,” said Almeleh. “The ability
tanker. for us to execute our tests as ef-
fectively and quickly as we did
The new equipment is expected was made possible only by the in-
to increase usability and function- credible support of those squad-
ality of the system during an “in- rons that helped.”
herently dangerous” operation.
But, without tankers, “the reach
of our military shrinks dramati-
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