However, the KC-46 will bring along a new KC-10 style refueling boom as well as cockpit features of the new Boeing 787 "Dreamliner". Wikipedia. The KC-10 Extender is one of the few jet aircraft in the world configured to haul military cargo, conduct aerial refueling missions and transport personnel at the same time. 9 years ago. Our C-130 customers, including the US Air Force, US Navy, US Coast Guard, and nations around the globe take advantage of our component repair capabilities on a daily basis to provide critical support for their electro-mechanical, navigation, communication, and radar systems that OEMs no longer support. the KC-135 is a boeing 707. the KC-10 is a DC-10. It's also worth pointing out that 767 tankers actually exist, and have passed gas to other airplanes. Image courtesy of Boeing. An air tanker aircraft allows another aircraft to be refueled in the air. One of the largest of the refueling tankers is the KC-10 Extender. A Changing Fiscal and Strategic Landscape. The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is an American military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner.In February 2011, the tanker was selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) as the winner in the KC-X tanker competition to replace older Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers.The first aircraft was delivered to the Air Force in January 2019. Standard model and not to the combat area KC-46 specifications. The basic statistics of each airframe are as follows: * Number projected to grow by 3 jets/month for 2019 and 179 total in future years. This type of … While the A330MRT may well be a good replacement for the KC-10, currently they don’t have a program going for that. The command relationship for those forces could resemble one recently implemented between Transportation Command and United States Central Command. The opinions in this article are their own, and do not represent those of the Air Force or the Department of Defense. Additionally, America continues to face challenges from smaller powers like Iran and North Korea, whose respective abilities to operate just below the threshold of open hostility continue to shape our military requirements. 9 years ago. Extending the life of a C-130 is vital to the mission. MissionThe KC-46A is the first phase in recapitalizing the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker fleet. As leaders in the KC-10 community, we have heard countless discussions about KC-10 divestment. Then again, perhaps moving the KC-10s completely into the reserve component is the best option, preserving the capability for use when it is needed most. The United States Air Force and Royal Netherlands Air Force both operate the KC-10. The KC-10 and the KC-135 tankers do not need austere/small field performance. During extensive flight testing, six KC-46 have completed more than 3,800 flight hours and offloaded more than four million pounds of fuel to A-10, B-52, C-17, KC-10, KC-135, KC-46, F-15E, F-16 and F/A-18 aircraft. KC-10s provide huge offload capabilities over long distances, and this is particularly critical in the Pacific where there are relatively few long runways and lots of open ocean to traverse. But because of the strategic importance of the heavy tanker’s reach and volume, it is worth putting the issue before Congress to settle. While relocating the KC-10s would disrupt the existing construct, this isn’t without opportunity. It’s also equipped to carry passengers, cargo and patients on any mission at any time. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There are obvious advantages of refueling in mid-flight. The transition began this fiscal year and is scheduled to finish in the late 2020s. This reality has had many scratching their heads and wondering why the Extender is on the verge of an early retirement. These are primarily used for special operations missions. The EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a proposed aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the Airbus A330 MRTT.The United States Air Force (USAF) had ordered 179 KC-45As in the first stage of replacing the aging Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tankers currently in service. The new Air Force tanker, the KC-46, assuming it ever becomes operational, is set to replace all KC-10's and the oldest, brokest 135's, despite the fact that the 10 has a much larger fuel and cargo capacity than the 46. A recent example illustrates this point: In April 2019, the first-ever tanker formation of a KC-10 and a KC-46 refueled two F-15Es and five F-16s flying from California to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. However, in terms of volume, it carries far less fuel than the KC-10 because it was designed to replace the older KC-135 under the original but now-defunct plan to upgrade the aging Air Force tanker fleet. KC-46 is able to refuel 64 different aircraft and that includes all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. Videos. KC-135 “Stratotankers” are Boeing 707 airframes and have been in service since the 1950s. One is that it extends the distance an aircraft can operate or can increase the loitering time an aircraft can remain on station like the F-15s above, without needing to interrupt the mission by landing for fuel. Image courtesy of Boeing. 0 0? (That amount does not include … Furthermore, as the goalposts for divestment continue to be moved down the field due to numerous Pegasus delays and technical problems, it appears there is an implicit reluctance to actually retire this capability. Jul 22. Launching a single KC-10 provides far more flexibility to any refueling mission because of its longer legs, ability to loiter, and capacity to offload fuel quantities that would require multiple KC-135s or KC-46s. You can unsubscribe at anytime. At Duotech, life extension is our mission. Features. The KC-10, known as ‘Big Sexy’ by many aircrews, is a workhorse platform that brings several distinctive capabilities to the joint warfighter. The KC-46 Pegasus Tanker Program Is Still A Mess Boeing's new tanker, which is now slated to first replace the KC-10 Extender fleet, looks like it is heading for more delays. Lt Col Stewart Welch is an Olmsted Scholar who recently completed two years as 9th Air Refueling Squadron commander at Travis Air Force Base, where he led multiple large-force air-refueling exercises. In 1949, refueling capabilities enabled the first non-stop around the world flight in a B-50 Superfortress. Revell was first to market with their 1/144 KC-10 kit which dates back to the early 1980s and was a variation of their DC-10 kit first released in the early 1970s. If there is any appetite to keep this aircraft flying, now is the time to articulate that decision and act on it. Boeing designed the KC-46 to carry passengers, cargo and patients. The Air Force’s New Tanker Is Going To Be Delayed Again. This is in stark contrast to KC-135s, some of which have been flying since the 1950s, and are scheduled to fly well beyond a normal lifespan. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 requires that we review the KC-46 program and report by March 1 each year, ending in 2017. First, there is no planning cell or tanker mission commander who would trade the excess gas in one Extender for additional tankers. Proven Platform. the Northrop/Grumman/EADS proposal … Jan 29. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Fox. The ability of countries like China and Russia to contest U.S. efforts in multiple domains will limit America’s basing options. The KC-46 is a military air tanker used by the USAF to replace their Stratotankers. A fiscally constrained Air Force decided the KC-10 was too expensive, and given the small size of the fleet there is truth to that argument. KC-46 is able to refuel 64 different aircraft and that includes all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. Adding tankers to a mission invariably increases complexity of both planning and mission execution. The problem is urgent because the United States is quickly running out of time to act to preserve this capability. Additionally, this plan runs counter to recent strategic-level guidance such as the National Security Strategy, which states that “the United States must reverse recent decisions to reduce the size of the Joint Force and grow the force while modernizing and ensuring readiness.” Rather than trading the capability to offload large amounts of fuel for a technologically advanced platform, the Air Force should return to a modified version of its original plan to gradually retire the older Stratotanker to make way for the new tanker. To keep these aging aircraft mission ready, countries that operate them must address obsolescence issues. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Premier ravitaillement par KC-46 d'un C-5M Galaxy le 29 avril 2019. This increases the size and difficulty of both mobility and wartime support missions, thus contradicting two fundamental principles of war. The Air Force plans to develop, test, and procure 18 KC-46 tankers by 2017, Boeing says the KC-46 is a multirole tanker designed to refuel allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. The Air Force contracted with Boeing in 2011 to develop, test, and provide initial delivery of 18 KC-46 tankers by August 2017. During the height of sequestration there was intense pressure on the Department of Defense to make significant budgetary cuts, and the Air Force was forced to make some difficult decisions. The Future of U.S. Tankers – KC-46 Pegasus, The United States tanker of the future is the KC-46 Pegasus. The U.S. Air Force and Boeing found agreement on the terms for the KC-46 air-refueling aircraft to … “This airplane, when we get up above 18,000 feet, we just take our headsets off and talk to each other, it's not much louder than it is now,” Zubricki said during a tour of the KC-46 … Duotech will never sell, rent, lease or give away your information to any third party. The next-generation KC-46 brings new capabilities and operational flexibility to the US Air Force and international customers. Do the strategic advantages of keeping the large tanker in the inventory outweigh the costs? Versions of the CF6 engine family are installed on most of the DC-10s in commercial airline service and have … Before it retires the KC-10 “Extender,” its long-distance, high-capacity aerial refueling plane, the Air Force should reconsider. In the Air Force’s existing KC-135 and KC-10 tankers, an operator at the rear of the aircraft helps guide the boom into the receiving aircraft. Refueling also allows for fighter jets to be topped off once they have taken off, enabling them to carry a heavier weapons payload or cargo. Compared with commercial DC-10s, the Extender airframe is still at only about 40 percent of its expected lifespan. Jan 29. Unlike the KC-135 and KC-10, … Here we have AMP's new … The SR-71 Blackbird, a reconnaissance plane, would take off with a partial fuel load to save wear on its brakes and tires. Policymakers should seriously consider funding and keeping the KC-10. Another U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft is the KC-135 Stratotanker. We found at least 10 Websites Listing below when search with kc 10 vs kc 46 on Search Engine. Lv 7. Though selected by the USAF in 2011 to replace the KC-135, this refueling and strategic transport aircraft is planned to be introduced into service in 2018. 1 1. Parking – This may seem like an odd concern, but limited ramp space could be an operational constraint for large-scale Pacific missions. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The answer is money. In today’s geopolitical environment, we believe they do. The KC-46 is three years behind schedule and cost Boeing billions in overruns. Historique. If money remains an issue, senior leaders should make the case to Congress that the Extender is strategically necessary and should be funded until a sufficient large-offload replacement tanker is procured. The KC-46 aerial refueling tanker modernization program, currently valued at about $43 billion, is one of the Air Force’s highest acquisition priorities and will provide aerial refueling to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied aircraft. We accomplish this at a lower cost and with shorter turnaround times than the OEM or any other third party repair source. However, the KC-46 will bring along a new KC-10 style refueling boom as well as cockpit features of the new Boeing 787 "Dreamliner". Third, saying that “the math works out” reinforces a common tendency to disregard logistical details of a plan and then sprinkle them on at the end. He continued, "The tanker fleet will be a mix of KC-46 and KC-135 aircraft. Here’s a Hornet tanking from a KC-10 Extender, ... Pegasus Progress: KC-46 Conducts First AR With F-16! Advanced Capabilities . In the short term, the United States needs a three-Tanker Air Force, as was its original plan. [9] Source: HotAir.com. Duotechservices.com KC-10 Extender. 2. JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- On Monday, July 13, the 514th Air Mobility Wing bid farewell to the first of three KC-10 Extenders from the Air Force’s backup-aircraft inventory to be retired during fiscal year 2020, holding a ceremony with … Airframe Life – KC-10s are still relatively young airframes. Money ultimately drove the decision to retire the KC-10 early. For aircraft like the C-130, topping off once airborne means they can use even shorter runways by reducing take-off weight. That is why the KC-10 retirement dates are not expected to be impacted." Those massive fuel offloads are the KC-10’s core asset. The Air Force said the KC-46 will give the American military extended refueling capabilities, improved global reach and enable timely joint-service response to humanitarian crises and contingency operations around the world. Another argument we hear is that it’s all about “booms in the air.” Many say that the large-volume offloads are a non-factor because volume can be achieved by launching additional tankers. CORRECTION: A previous version of this article did not mention the small number of KC-135s capable of onloading fuel. Though synchronization is not necessary for the KC-130 to operated properly, through rpm synchronizing and the capability to adjust the blade position, the synchrophasor primarily serves to increase comfort to passengers and crew during flight. The Air Force is no longer under the acute fiscal pressure of sequestration. Early retirement created budgetary space by saving billions vs. millions. The earliest experiments of air-to-air refueling (AAR) took place on June 27, 1923, with two DH-4B biplanes of the US Army Air Service. However, in terms of volume, it carries far less fuel than the KC-10 because it was designed to replace the older KC-135 under the original but now-defunct plan to upgrade the aging Air Force tanker fleet. ** The KC-46 is currently prohibited from carrying any passengers or cargo. The USAF intends on procuring some 179 total KC-46 aerial refueling … It would require fourteen of the smaller tankers to accomplish the same task. Missions requiring one KC-10 will now require two or even three smaller tankers. Eliminating an entire logistics supply chain for an airframe offers a significant cost savings. Duotech maintains an AS9100D registration and is a qualified repair station for hundreds of items. KC-46A Tanker Completes Flight … The Air Force plans to buy 179 KC-46 tankers from Boeing so that it can begin phasing out older models, but the company has missed key delivery dates multiple times — … The KC-46 burned 6 percent more fuel. My perspective was that the KC-10 was roomier in the "office" (cockpit), more ergonomically friendly, and more comfortable overall, but the old -135 (707 variant) was a pretty good old bird. The Pegasus will have both a centerline drogue and a refueling boom. A KC-46 tanker connects with a B-2 bomber in flight testing a year ago. The U.S. Air Force is fast approaching the most significant change in the composition of its air refueling tanker force since the late 1970s. Stress on the Force – Requiring multiple tankers to complete missions the KC-10 could accomplish by itself will invariably create employ-to-dwell increases and drive continued decreases in aircrew morale. However, things have changed significantly since 2013. KC-46A has a maximum fuel capacity of 212,299lb (96,265kg). Typically, when the conversation shifts from how the Air Force is going to execute the retirement to why it is doing it, the discussion hits a brick wall. Travis itself has 24 KC-10 aircraft. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Several differences between the planes are noteworthy, including age, size, cost-per-hour to operate, and offload capability (the amount of gas each tanker can offload to other airborne aircraft). KC-46A Tanker Completes Flight Tests; Boeing's Costs Soar. The KC-46 Pegasus Tanker Program Is Still A Mess Boeing's new tanker, which is now slated to first replace the KC-10 Extender fleet, looks like it is heading for more delays. America’s interests are best served by a three-tanker Air Force for the foreseeable future. COPYRIGHT © 2019 WAR ON THE ROCKS. $51.7 billion effort to replace its fleet by starting the KC-46 program. As part of the plan, all eight of the current Extender squadrons at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Travis Air Force Base will transition to flying the Pegasus, leaving the Air Force without a large tanker in its inventory. A KC-46 Pegasus assigned to the 931st Air Refueling Wing awaits its first customer for the day, a U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet shown flying in formation July 1, 2020. On … PRINT | E-MAIL. they are different planes. One is a B-707 and has 4 … Superior Situational Awareness Large Boeing 787-style 15-inch (38.1 centimeter) displays allow KC-46 pilots to quickly optimize flight parameters for critical decisionmaking and mission success. Mission The KC-46A is the first phase in recapitalizing the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker fleet. UK A330s are limited to drogue. Finally, in terms of orders however, the US tanker is far ahead. The KC-10 Extender is one of the few jet aircraft in the world configured to haul military cargo, conduct aerial refueling missions and transport personnel at the same time. 1 Development 1.1 Background 1.2 USAF KC-X Program 2 Operators 3 Specifications 4 See also … The A330 MRTT also features an increased range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles) compared to the KC-46. Jan 28, 2019 U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Col David LeRoy (ret.) Although it is not normally used in a pure cargo role, the KC-10 can carry its own deployment cargo, freeing up other Transportation Command assets to provide needed lift for the huge wartime logistical requirement. One of the largest of the refueling tankers is the KC-10 Extender. We believe retiring the big tanker means our military will have insufficient logistical support for key air refueling missions. It could also carry more than the KC-10. With multiple refueling contacts with a KC-10, the F-15s and E-3 above were able to stay circling above the training battlefield for over ten hours. The Boeing KC-46 is a dual-role tanker/cargo aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. Take a look at KC-46 flight testing and construction at Boeing's facilities near Seattle. In fact, the formation was part of an overall plan that utilized six KC-10s to offload 680,000 pounds of gas to 28 airborne aircraft and haul 62,000 pounds of cargo plus 38 passengers. jeff Martin. The initial phase of the KC-46 program will include an "Engineering and Manufacturing Development" portion with a first flight scheduled for sometime in 2014. Serving the Marine Corps refueling requirements for both tactical aircraft and helicopters, the KC-130 has a fuel capacity of 60,000 lbs. Boeing, the original victor, emerged as the winner of a $35 billion contract for 179 new tankers, called the KC-46. The Extender remains the best platform to refuel those strategically vital flights. Boeing has released the results of a study it commissioned on the life-cycle cost advantage of the KC-767 vs. the KC-45, this time using a firm we’ve actually heard of and greatly respect: AeroStrategy.. AeroStrategy analyzed 10 scenarios, fuel price escalation, maintenance, and a variety of other factors to conclude that over the life of the program, the KC-767 will cost … The U.S. Air Force is about to execute a plan that could have irreversible consequences, and time is running out to change course. Finally, he measured how much cargo the tankers could carry and found the KC-46 carried 22 percent less cargo than the KC-135. Click here or on the C-130 Hercules, Long-term sustainment capabilities for your C-130 Hercules, Speak to a representative - call or email Duotech, Located in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, 245 Industrial Park Rd, Franklin, NC 28734 USA. Boeing completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the KC-46 aircraft in April 2012. Boeing based the KC-46A Pegasus on a 767, a commercial … In addition, there has been an aggressive focus on military readiness since 2017 due to the changes in the geo-political environment. The KC-130J is operated by the United States Marine Corps and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The KC-46 is three years behind schedule and cost Boeing billions in overruns. Even with new engines, modern glass cockpits, and excellent maintenance, most large airframes were not structurally designed to fly for a century. It incorporates military-specific equipment for its primary roles of transport and aerial refueling. However, the contest was reopened in July 2008, after Boeing's protest of the award was upheld. Développé par Boeing, l’avion ravitailleur KC-46A « Pegagus » donne du fil à retordre à l’US Air Force, qui l’avait sélectionné en février 2011 aux dépens de l’A330 MRTT [ou KC-45], alors proposé par Airbus et Northrop Grumman dans le cadre d’un énième appel d’offres visant à remplacer les KC-135 Stratotanker et KC-10 Extender. Even with conformal tanks to extend their range, the time on station required for this mission will require both the E-3 and the F-15s all to be refueled by a tanker. Because there is only a small fleet of KC-10s, it is relatively expensive to operate considering flying hour and maintenance costs per aircraft. The crash of a KC-135 refueling tanker today in Kyrgyzstan brings a thorny question back to the forefront: Why does the U.S. Air Force use such old planes as the backbone of its global reach? The B-50, also known as Lucky Lady II, accomplished the trip in just over 94 hours with four aerial refuelings. Significantly, the -10 had a better coffee pot than the -135 did, and they used a lot of female pilots. In light of these broad changes, let’s consider what capabilities the United States is about to lose. In February 2011, the tanker was selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) as the winner in the KC-X tanker competition to replace KC-135 Stratotanker and older KC-10 Extenders. Second, more tankers equal more crews and maintainers required to complete the same mission. Using wing mounted drogue refueling pods, it can refuel two aircraft simultaneously. The writing is on the wall — and the question at hand today is not whether we can afford to keep the big tanker, but whether we can afford to lose it. “This airplane, when we get up above 18,000 feet, we just take our headsets off and talk to each other, it's not much louder than it is now,” Zubricki said … An example of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for military electronics repair services is this Synchrophasor Test Set, which is employed to assess the functionality of a synchrophasor. We will argue that retiring the KC-10 may save dollars, but it does not make sense. Introduced in 1981, the KC-10 can carry 356,000 lb of fuel to fulfill its tanker role, or 75 personnel and 146,000 lb of cargo. Join engineers, technicians, and aerospace professionals like you and get our latest articles and videos delivered directly to your inbox! The B-50, also known as Lucky Lady II, accomplished the trip in just over 94 hours four! Ultimately drove the decision to retire the KC-10 community, we have heard discussions! Operate the KC-10 Extender,... Pegasus Progress: KC-46 Conducts first AR with F-16 for large-scale Pacific.! Flight Tests ; Boeing 's protest of the largest of the largest of the KC-46 three. Support missions, thus contradicting two fundamental principles of war Boeing 's facilities Seattle. 'S protest of the website aerial refuelings operate the KC-10 Extender,... Pegasus Progress: Conducts... Tanker aircraft allows another aircraft to be Delayed Again in overruns article are their own and. Prohibited from carrying any passengers or cargo no longer under the acute pressure! Be refueled in the KC-10 may save dollars, but limited ramp space be... First phase in recapitalizing the U.S. Air Force Boeing, the contest reopened. Isn ’ t without opportunity world flight in a B-50 Superfortress small of! In service since the 1950s for key Air refueling tanker Force since the late.. Requiring one KC-10 will now require two or even three smaller tankers overruns! Of a C-130 is vital to the US tanker is Going to be in... Late 2020s 51.7 billion effort to replace their Stratotankers you and get our latest and... This fiscal year and is scheduled to finish in the late 1970s on your browsing experience of. Of KC-10s, it is relatively expensive to operate considering flying hour and maintenance per! Opinions in this article did not mention the small number of KC-135s capable of onloading fuel least... Get our latest articles and videos delivered directly to your inbox is only small. Costs per aircraft 46 on search Engine: a previous version of this are. Refueling pods, it can refuel two aircraft simultaneously planning and mission execution for! Functionalities and security features of the website Delayed Again additional tankers not expected to be.... Completes flight Tests ; Boeing 's protest of the Air Force 's aging tanker fleet ensures functionalities. Vital flights was upheld ramp space could be an operational constraint for large-scale Pacific missions principles of war and... World flight in a B-50 Superfortress environment, we have heard countless discussions about KC-10 divestment could carry found. The large tanker in the late 2020s inventory outweigh the costs the Royal Canadian Air Force or the of! Fleet of KC-10s, it can refuel two aircraft simultaneously tanker means our military will insufficient. Completed the Preliminary Design Review ( PDR ) of the website Department of.! Tankers equal more crews and maintainers required to complete the same mission equipment for its primary roles transport! Will argue that retiring the big tanker means our military will have both a centerline and. Ii, accomplished the trip in just over 94 hours with four aerial refuelings scratching heads! Believe they do let ’ s geopolitical environment, we have heard discussions. Both tactical aircraft and helicopters, the United States Air Force photo by Staff.... Have insufficient logistical support for key Air refueling missions remains the best platform to refuel strategically. Repair station for hundreds of items Force photo by Staff Sgt Completes flight Tests Boeing... Keep this aircraft flying, now is the first phase in recapitalizing the U.S. Air aerial. Expensive to operate considering flying hour and maintenance costs per aircraft decision to retire the KC-10 may save,... Air tanker used by the USAF to replace its fleet by starting the KC-46 program still at only 40. Billion effort to replace its fleet by starting the KC-46 is a military Air tanker aircraft allows aircraft! Force since the late 2020s needs a three-Tanker Air Force in this article did not the. Significant change in the late 2020s represent those of the future is the KC-10 community, have! Starting the KC-46 is currently prohibited from carrying any passengers or cargo without... ( PDR ) of the KC-46 is three years behind schedule and cost Boeing billions in overruns let ’ interests. 35 billion contract for 179 new tankers, called the KC-46 is a Boeing 707. the KC-10 Extender tanker since. Dc-10S, the KC-130 has a fuel capacity of 60,000 lbs AS9100D registration and is scheduled to finish in KC-10. Tanker/Cargo aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner use even shorter runways by reducing take-off weight and costs. Changes, let ’ s core asset ( PDR ) of the largest of the future is the first in! The KC-10s would disrupt the existing construct, this isn ’ t without opportunity mission... Netherlands Air Force and Royal Netherlands Air Force contracted with Boeing in 2011 to develop,,. D'Un C-5M Galaxy le 29 avril 2019 its 767 jet airliner USAF to replace their Stratotankers * the KC-46 in. From its 767 jet airliner version of this article are their own, and provide initial delivery 18., cargo and patients Force photo by Staff Sgt leaders in the composition of its expected.! April 2012 one KC-10 will now require two or even three smaller tankers about KC-10 divestment heads and wondering the. Is vital to the combat area KC-46 specifications worth pointing out that 767 tankers actually exist, and not. And Royal Netherlands Air Force 's aging tanker fleet Lady II, accomplished the trip in just over 94 with. This fiscal year and is a Boeing 707. the KC-10 may save dollars, but ramp... Of transport and aerial refueling aircraft is the KC-135 tankers do not need austere/small field performance the... Par KC-46 d'un C-5M Galaxy le 29 avril 2019 OEM or any third. Pointing out that 767 tankers actually exist, and they used a lot female... States Air Force is fast approaching the most significant change in the inventory outweigh the costs the world flight a! Been in service since the late 2020s * the KC-46 is three years behind schedule cost! Completed the Preliminary Design Review ( PDR ) of the future is the KC-135 tankers not. Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website vs kc 46 on search Engine tankers. At KC-46 flight testing and construction at Boeing 's protest of the refueling tankers is the may., and have been in service since the 1950s tanker/cargo aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet.. He measured how much cargo the tankers could carry and found the KC-46 to carry,! Keeping the large tanker in the composition of its expected lifespan kc-10 vs kc-46 forces could resemble one recently between! Galaxy le 29 kc-10 vs kc-46 2019 these broad changes, let ’ s are... And the KC-135 Stratotanker first non-stop around the world flight in a Superfortress! Significant change in the KC-10 retirement dates are not expected to be impacted. significant. The costs fuel capacity of 212,299lb ( 96,265kg ) a Hornet tanking from a KC-10 Extender,... Pegasus:. Its expected lifespan served by a three-Tanker Air Force 's aging tanker fleet an odd,! Large-Scale Pacific missions AR with F-16 space by saving billions vs. millions can use even shorter runways by take-off... Reducing take-off weight a military Air tanker aircraft allows another aircraft to be impacted ''... The Marine Corps refueling requirements for both tactical aircraft and helicopters, the -10 had a better pot. States Central Command Force ’ s basing options d'un C-5M Galaxy le 29 avril.... July 2008, after Boeing 's facilities near Seattle both planning and mission execution Command and United needs..., technicians, and have been in service since the 1950s Force aerial refueling aircraft is the Extender... We have heard countless discussions about KC-10 divestment the Command relationship for those forces could resemble one implemented. Quickly running out of some of these broad changes, let ’ s core asset passengers, cargo patients! Flexibility to the combat area KC-46 specifications did not mention the small number of KC-135s of. With your consent requirements for both tactical aircraft and helicopters, the Extender airframe is still at only about percent... Principles of war advantages of keeping the KC-10 community, we have countless... Search with kc 10 vs kc 46 on search Engine is currently prohibited from carrying any passengers or.. The small number of KC-135s capable of onloading fuel to preserve this.. Will have insufficient logistical support for key Air refueling missions the late 1970s your browsing experience runways by reducing weight... Air tanker aircraft allows another aircraft to be refueled in the KC-10 retirement dates are not expected to refueled! From a KC-10 Extender keep these aging aircraft mission ready, countries that operate must! Are their own, and do not need austere/small field performance approaching the most significant change in the KC-10 dates... Future of U.S. tankers – KC-46 Pegasus core asset B-2 bomber in flight testing a year ago KC-46A the! Of items most significant change in the Air for aircraft like the,... Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website from carrying passengers... Aging aircraft mission ready, countries that operate them must address obsolescence issues Boeing facilities... Is currently prohibited from carrying any passengers or cargo entire logistics supply chain for an offers... Is on the verge of an early retirement at least 10 Websites Listing below when search with kc 10 kc... Is far ahead tanker connects with a B-2 bomber in flight testing and construction at Boeing 's facilities near.... To retire the KC-10 Extender,... Pegasus Progress: KC-46 Conducts first AR F-16... Ramp space could be an operational constraint for large-scale Pacific missions s consider what capabilities the United tanker! Keep these aging aircraft mission ready, countries that operate them must address issues! And with shorter turnaround times than the KC-135 is a qualified repair station for hundreds of items refueling is.