More milestones for Pegasus

摘要

THE KC-46A tanker has completed refuelling tests with the F-35A fighter. The USAF announced receiver certification on June 4 after trials at Edwards Air Force Base, California, overseen by the 418th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS), responsible for KC-46 testing, and the 461st FLTS, operating the Lightning Ⅱ. Lt Col Tucker Hamilton, 461st FLTS commander and F-35 Integrated Test Force director said: "The ability for the F-35 to receive fuel from the KC-46 is a tremendous capability for the warfighter. Through our combined test effort, the F-35 will soon gain clearance that is the foundation of an aircraft pairing, F-35 and KC-46, that will define the battlespace for decades to come." On the same day, a first sortie was flown from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, as part of the KC-46 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) campaign. The mission verified normal operation checklists and the boom refuelling system. During the flight, aircrew from the 344th Air Refueling Squadron refuelled two F-16s four times while successfully offloading approximately 29,000lb (13,154kg) of fuel. On June 7, a second flight saw the Pegasus successfully receiving fuel from another KC-46. The KC-46 has also completed refuelling testing with the C-5M out of Edwards AFB, the air force announced on June 12. A KC-46 and a Super Galaxy from Travis AFB, California, first made contact on April 29. During the tests, the C-5M was crewed primarily by the 22nd Airlift Squadron with augmentation from the 418th. The testing is a part of a wider effort to certify aerial refuelling operations between the KC-46 and 22 different receiver aircraft. Travis is scheduled to receive its first KC-46 in 2023.