The KC-46 Takes-Off

Needing a certificate from several agencies and especially the US Air Force, the Boeing corporation exhales as it completes its tanker tests this month. It is ready to start serving the US Air Force with its Boeing built KC-46 tankers going forward. One of the previous key problems for the tanker requiring this final testing was the remote sensing function for the boom hooking up with its flying customer's. Prior to this final test, the tanker's remote sensing would have some occasion to lose contact or scratch and dent the trailer fueling aircraft with its fueling probe. 

The former process for fuel transfer required an airman to lie flat watching the hook-up from the flat position while operating controls for its fueling procedure. The KC-46 now has an airman sitting forward in the aircraft body from this former position conducting this mission on a screen with all the tanker fueling capabilities at his fingertips. The tests for this modernization had some flaws where glare showing from the sensor to the screen blocked a clear view for its operators. 

It went back to the shop for fixing and testing for which it now has passed using software upgrades and possibly some other equipment upgrades. It now works as tests indicate and the tanker can now deliver without operator obstruction of view or loss of fueling probe placement.



KMUW reports:
"The recent tests involved the tanker’s remote vision system and refueling two more types of aircraft. Those results, combined with testing completed in June, made the tanker eligible for delivery, the Air Force said."

The tanker will have first delivery in late October to the Airforce at McConnell AFB, starting the sequence for 18 deliveries by April 2019.

Whew, it's about time and it sounds like a military marvel from all the work done on the program. It will fly the wounded, surveil, and fuel everything the Airforce has with wings except missiles. There are other functions not discussed and remains secret this airplane will do.