Meet The USAF's Long Awaited KC-46A Pegasus Tanker

[SvenSvensonov]

It's been a decade and a half in the making, but now the time has finally come to see the USAF's new tanker in whole form, moving under its own power. The KC-46A is based on different elements of different variations of the Boeing 767, and once fielded, it will represent a massive capability increase in American aerial refueling and transport capabilities.

December 27th, 2014, the winner of the long-fought and highly controversial KC-X contract rumbled out of its parking spot at Boeing's heavy airliner plant in Everett, Washington, and executed a series of taxi tests, including high-speed runs. The wide-body airliner-cum-cargo hauler-cum military aerial refueler should make its first flight very soon, with some rumors stating that it could happen as early as tomorrow.

The KC-46A will feature innovative new technologies and capabilities. A three-point hose and drogue refueling system will be standard along with a fly-by-wire refueling boom. Omitted from the KC-46A design is the traditional 'boom pod' with its bay window and line-of-sight boom control station. Instead, the KC-46A will use a 3D video system fed to a refueling console for boom control.

*Compare this digital setup with this pic of the KC-135 I found!

The Pegasus will be equipped with a modern radar warning receiver and defensive countermeasure systems, along with a full glass cockpit and an advanced navigation system to comply with international standards. When it comes to lugging cargo around, the KC-46A far exceeds the KC-135 in every respect, with 18 palets being carried on a single mission. The Pegasus will also be more economical to operate considering the enhanced capability it provides over the Stratotanker. Other goodies include night-vision compatible lighting and future multi-mission capabilities via in the installation of plug-and-play consoles.

The KC-X contract will likely see 179 KC-46As replace the oldest KC-135 Stratotankers (some are close to 60 years old) at a cost of over $50 billion through 2028. The first four units will work as engineering test and evaluation models, with the 175 that follow being 'front line' KC-46s. Hundreds more Pegasus tankers could continue to be supplied beyond the initial 179 aircraft if the USAF is happy with the jet's performance and there are funds available. The first 18 combat capable KC-46As will be delivered by the end of 2017 to McConnell AFB, in Wichita, Kansas. Altus AFB, located in Oklahoma, will house the type's official training unit.

Loving the seats!!!

From Exclusive: Meet The USAF's Long Awaited KC-46A Pegasus Tanker

 

[Kompromat]

Unit cost?

 

[Selous]

Where can I get my hands on one of these for free ?

 

[ni8mare]

View attachment 181064

It's been a decade and a half in the making, but now the time has finally come to see the USAF's new tanker in whole form, moving under its own power. The KC-46A is based on different elements of different variations of the Boeing 767, and once fielded, it will represent a massive capability increase in American aerial refueling and transport capabilities.

View attachment 181065

December 27th, 2014, the winner of the long-fought and highly controversial KC-X contract rumbled out of its parking spot at Boeing's heavy airliner plant in Everett, Washington, and executed a series of taxi tests, including high-speed runs. The wide-body airliner-cum-cargo hauler-cum military aerial refueler should make its first flight very soon, with some rumors stating that it could happen as early as tomorrow.

View attachment 181066

The KC-46A will feature innovative new technologies and capabilities. A three-point hose and drogue refueling system will be standard along with a fly-by-wire refueling boom. Omitted from the KC-46A design is the traditional 'boom pod' with its bay window and line-of-sight boom control station. Instead, the KC-46A will use a 3D video system fed to a refueling console for boom control.

View attachment 181067

*Compare this digital setup with this pic of the KC-135 I found!
View attachment 181070

The Pegasus will be equipped with a modern radar warning receiver and defensive countermeasure systems, along with a full glass cockpit and an advanced navigation system to comply with international standards. When it comes to lugging cargo around, the KC-46A far exceeds the KC-135 in every respect, with 18 palets being carried on a single mission. The Pegasus will also be more economical to operate considering the enhanced capability it provides over the Stratotanker. Other goodies include night-vision compatible lighting and future multi-mission capabilities via in the installation of plug-and-play consoles.

The KC-X contract will likely see 179 KC-46As replace the oldest KC-135 Stratotankers (some are close to 60 years old) at a cost of over $50 billion through 2028. The first four units will work as engineering test and evaluation models, with the 175 that follow being 'front line' KC-46s. Hundreds more Pegasus tankers could continue to be supplied beyond the initial 179 aircraft if the USAF is happy with the jet's performance and there are funds available. The first 18 combat capable KC-46As will be delivered by the end of 2017 to McConnell AFB, in Wichita, Kansas. Altus AFB, located in Oklahoma, will house the type's official training unit.

View attachment 181068

From Exclusive: Meet The USAF's Long Awaited KC-46A Pegasus Tanker

price....need some

 

[SvenSvensonov]

price....need some

KC-46:

Unit cost US$189.4 million (FY13)
US$250.2M (with R&D)

http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653379.pdf

For comparison, this new system is nearly 5 times more expensive, but more capable then the KC-135:

KC-135

Unit cost US$39.6 million (FY98 dollars)

The KC-135 is nearly 60 years old though being first produced in 1956. The US retains the 1980 era KC-10 (59 in services as of 2012) as well.

KC-10:

Unit cost KC-10: US$88.4 million (FY1998)

KC-10 Extender > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display

@Horus - here's the per unit cost, though considering this is the US we are talking about, and money doesn't tend to be too much of an issue for critical programs such as tankers, this won't be a limiting factor. 18 are scheduled to be delivered to the US military by August, 2017 under the current contract terms.

 

[ni8mare]

KC-46:

Unit cost US$189.4 million (FY13)
US$250.2M (with R&D)

http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653379.pdf

For comparison, this new system is nearly 5 times more expensive, but more capable then the KC-135:

KC-135

Unit cost US$39.6 million (FY98 dollars)

The KC-135 is nearly 60 years old though being first produced in 1956. The US retains the 1980 era KC-10 (59 in services as of 2012) as well.

KC-10:

Unit cost KC-10: US$88.4 million (FY1998)

KC-10 Extender > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display

@Horus - here's the per unit cost, though considering this is the US we are talking about, and money doesn't tend to be too much of an issue for critical programs such as tankers, this won't be a limiting factor. 18 are scheduled to be delivered to the US military by August, 2017 under the current contract terms.

price is alright...... .we are buying this ..:: India Strategic ::. IAF: IAF selects Airbus Military A330 MRTT as midair tanker at 1.5 Bn $ for 6 tanker

 

[Kompromat]

KC-46:

Unit cost US$189.4 million (FY13)
US$250.2M (with R&D)

http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653379.pdf

For comparison, this new system is nearly 5 times more expensive, but more capable then the KC-135:

KC-135

Unit cost US$39.6 million (FY98 dollars)

The KC-135 is nearly 60 years old though being first produced in 1956. The US retains the 1980 era KC-10 (59 in services as of 2012) as well.

KC-10:

Unit cost KC-10: US$88.4 million (FY1998)

KC-10 Extender > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display

@Horus - here's the per unit cost, though considering this is the US we are talking about, and money doesn't tend to be too much of an issue for critical programs such as tankers, this won't be a limiting factor. 18 are scheduled to be delivered to the US military by August, 2017 under the current contract terms.

PAF might want tankers for our F-16s in the near future.

 

[mike2000]

View attachment 181064

It's been a decade and a half in the making, but now the time has finally come to see the USAF's new tanker in whole form, moving under its own power. The KC-46A is based on different elements of different variations of the Boeing 767, and once fielded, it will represent a massive capability increase in American aerial refueling and transport capabilities.

View attachment 181065

December 27th, 2014, the winner of the long-fought and highly controversial KC-X contract rumbled out of its parking spot at Boeing's heavy airliner plant in Everett, Washington, and executed a series of taxi tests, including high-speed runs. The wide-body airliner-cum-cargo hauler-cum military aerial refueler should make its first flight very soon, with some rumors stating that it could happen as early as tomorrow.

View attachment 181066

The KC-46A will feature innovative new technologies and capabilities. A three-point hose and drogue refueling system will be standard along with a fly-by-wire refueling boom. Omitted from the KC-46A design is the traditional 'boom pod' with its bay window and line-of-sight boom control station. Instead, the KC-46A will use a 3D video system fed to a refueling console for boom control.

View attachment 181067

*Compare this digital setup with this pic of the KC-135 I found!
View attachment 181070

The Pegasus will be equipped with a modern radar warning receiver and defensive countermeasure systems, along with a full glass cockpit and an advanced navigation system to comply with international standards. When it comes to lugging cargo around, the KC-46A far exceeds the KC-135 in every respect, with 18 palets being carried on a single mission. The Pegasus will also be more economical to operate considering the enhanced capability it provides over the Stratotanker. Other goodies include night-vision compatible lighting and future multi-mission capabilities via in the installation of plug-and-play consoles.

The KC-X contract will likely see 179 KC-46As replace the oldest KC-135 Stratotankers (some are close to 60 years old) at a cost of over $50 billion through 2028. The first four units will work as engineering test and evaluation models, with the 175 that follow being 'front line' KC-46s. Hundreds more Pegasus tankers could continue to be supplied beyond the initial 179 aircraft if the USAF is happy with the jet's performance and there are funds available. The first 18 combat capable KC-46As will be delivered by the end of 2017 to McConnell AFB, in Wichita, Kansas. Altus AFB, located in Oklahoma, will house the type's official training unit.

View attachment 181068

From Exclusive: Meet The USAF's Long Awaited KC-46A Pegasus Tanker

Jesus.......This is one beautiful bird. Hat's off to the U.S

 

[TOPGUN]

PAF might want tankers for our F-16s in the near future.

I agree and why have they not been asked for as of yet ? or have they been asked for and its been rejected ? any clue ?

 

[Kompromat]

I agree and I why have they not been asked for as of yet ? or have they been asked for and its been rejected ? any clue ?

Mainly due to financial issues.

 

[Wolfhound]

KC-46:

Unit cost US$189.4 million (FY13)
US$250.2M (with R&D)

http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653379.pdf

For comparison, this new system is nearly 5 times more expensive, but more capable then the KC-135:

KC-135

Unit cost US$39.6 million (FY98 dollars)

The KC-135 is nearly 60 years old though being first produced in 1956. The US retains the 1980 era KC-10 (59 in services as of 2012) as well.

KC-10:

Unit cost KC-10: US$88.4 million (FY1998)

KC-10 Extender > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display

@Horus - here's the per unit cost, though considering this is the US we are talking about, and money doesn't tend to be too much of an issue for critical programs such as tankers, this won't be a limiting factor. 18 are scheduled to be delivered to the US military by August, 2017 under the current contract terms.

Specifications?

 

[SvenSvensonov]

Specifications?

It's a tanker. Big, slow, turns into the Hindenburg when shot... naw, I'm just messing with you!. Here's the specs:

KC-767 Specifications
Length............................................159’2”
Wingspan.......................................156’1”
Height ............................................52’
Max Takeoff Weight.....more than 400,000 lbs
Max Landing Weight.....................300,000 lbs
Max Zero Fuel Weight...................280,000 lbs
Max Fuel Capacity........more than 202,000 lbs
Fuel Offload
• Advanced Boom....more than 1000 gallons-per-minute
• Centerline Hose Drum Unit....600 gallons-per-minute
• Wing Pods…………………...400 gallons-per-minute
Cargo/Passenger/Aeromedical Capacity
• Up to 190 passengers.
• Up to 19 main deck military 463L pallets
• Up to 97 patients

http://web.archive.org/web/20080528...s/globaltanker/usaf/KC_767/767AdvProdCard.pdf

http://www.boeing.com/assets/pdf/defense-space/military/kc46a/pdf/kc46a_tanker_backgrounder.pdf

 

[Pak_Sher]

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TOPGUN]

Mainly due to financial issues.

Perhaps , but I think there might be more to the story then just that .

 

[gambit]

The KC-46A will feature innovative new technologies and capabilities. A three-point hose and drogue refueling system will be standard along with a fly-by-wire refueling boom. Omitted from the KC-46A design is the traditional 'boom pod' with its bay window and line-of-sight boom control station. Instead, the KC-46A will use a 3D video system fed to a refueling console for boom control.

View attachment 181067

*Compare this digital setup with this pic of the KC-135 I found!
View attachment 181070

I snagged a -135 refuel flight once out of MacDill. It was first come first dibs and I was the first in the squadron to notice the -135 crew's friendly offer. The refueling operator's compartment is tight and usually two guests can be accommodated. We refueled a four-ship F-16 flight from Luke over the Gulf. I have been on the receiving end before, on the -111 and -16, but that was the first time I was on the 'gas passer' side. The sight from the window during refuel was really fascinating in everything, from the color of the water below to watching a -16 slowly glides into point. It was a calm day so all four jets had only minor bobbles when each attached for fuel. Then there was that brief spray of fuel when the jet disconnected. Then the jet drop some altitude. Then the jet smartly snapped to one side and peeled away.

Am positive the refueling operators will miss the windows when the digital video screens replaces them.