Either by Hose and Drogue or by Boom, KC-46 Scores Success.

The mosquito has a proboscis as it sucks blood through its nozzle on errant flight to your exposed surface skin. However, the KC-46 weighing tons and tons more reverses the blood sucking process with trailing appliances from its wings, tail and undercarriage. The reverse KC-46 process has a stiffer boom for 1,200 gallons a minute, suggests it could refuel long range bombers at will. It can also drop a hose and drogue apparatus and refuel the F/A 18 at 400 gallons a minute.

The KC-46 looks to deploy fuel in a quite the opposite of the mosquito misdeed when it sucks your blood and leaves a welt. The USAF hopes to leave a welt through its warbirds flying the distance. As mentioned earlier in KC-46 related articles by Winging IT Part III, was the refueling accomplishment is the critical step cited as so many different things are in play for fuel management and delivery. Boeing has gone 2-2 at bat while dropping in fuel with different appliances such as the hose and drogue or the "Boom" as a mosquito would prefer to call it proboscis. Since a mosquito can pump out more blood with its boom-like appliance than it would with a flexible hose attachment could allow, the boom becomes the weapon of choice for moving large quantities of fuel. 

DODBuzz Photo

Hose and Drogue Test with F/A18

The KC-46 looks to deploy fuel in a quite the opposite slant from a mosquito's misdeeds when it is sucking your blood and leaving a welt. The USAF hopes to leave a welt through its warbirds flying the distance. As mentioned earlier in KC-46 related articles by Winging IT (see part III below), the refueling accomplishment is the "big" critical step cited, as so many different and critical things are in play for fuel management and delivery using a new system. 

The Boom dispenses on time to another test unit 

Photo: Airforce-technology.com 

Boeing has gone 2-2 at bat while dropping in fuel with its different appliances protruding towards the stern of the KC-46, such as the hose and drogue (above) or the "Boom" as a mosquito would prefer to call it a proboscis. Since a mosquito can pump more blood with its boom-like appliance than it would with a flexible hose attachment could allow. The KC-46 is an engineering marvel as it goes through its paces during testing phase. 

The reverse role from the mosquito to that of the tanker is to pump back fuel to all its clients such as Helicopters, fighter jet multiples, and even to other tankers if needed. The tests coming in the near future will include fueling with a multiple number of aircraft at the same time or one at a time. Boeing is pleased with at least a successful test parameter as it fueled the F/A 18, and as it knocked one out of the park.

Start with the following link and follow reference links found within the related articles:

Part I: Boeing KC-46 Takes Write-off for stock holders, Fixes found during phase 1.

Part II: Develop, Determine and Deliver The KC-46 Phase II

Part III: Key Aerial Refueling Capabilities Should Be Demonstrated Prior to the Production Decision