USAF approves KC-46A Pegasus to refuel a wider range of aircraft

The U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command approved the operation of KC-46A Pegasus to refuel AC-130J Ghostrider, HC-130J Combat King II, MC-130J Commando II, C-5M Super Galaxy and E-3G Sentry.

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Following this qualification, the KC-46 can now refuel nearly 70% of the receiving aircraft requiring in-flight refueling. Work is also underway to certify the Pegasus to refuel Air Force One.

The KC-46 program is gradually gaining new capabilities within the USAF structure as it is tested and certified through the Interim Capability Release (ICR) mechanism.

As reported by the Air Mobility Command (AMC) press release, the KC-46A ICR plan allows the Pegasus to perform operational tasks that would otherwise be covered by the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender, increasing the Air Force’s aerial refueling capability and enhancing the training of Pegasus aircrews with operational missions.

On July 9, 2021, the first ICR decision approved the KC-46A Pegasus to refuel aircraft using its centerline probe system. The second ICR decision, on Aug. 5, 2021, approved the KC-46A to refuel B-52, C-17 and other KC-46 aircraft using its boom system. On Oct. 15, 2021, the third ICR decision allowed the KC-46A to refuel all variants of the F-15 and F-16.

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There is no timeline associated with the overall ICR plan, which instead focuses on establishing incremental confidence measures that allow the AMC commander and other senior leaders to qualitatively and quantitatively assess achievement of ICR milestones. Aircrews will continue to fly training, exercise, and demonstration missions until all operational confidence measures are met.

Despite existing constraints and shortfalls, the KC-46A continues to gain operational capabilities. The Pegasus has completed more than 6,000 missions, offloading more than 37.8 million pounds of fuel and performing 28,000 boom contacts and 1,900 drogue contacts since January 2019.