February DropZone 2014 | Page 7

The United States Air Force is currently trying to replace its old fleet of aircraft with new and more modernized aircraft that will better meet current needs and future needs of our defense system. In 2006 the USAF wanted a request for proposal for a new tanker program. Boeing’s KC-767 was selected in a procurement program and in February 2011 the tanker won the KC-X competition to replace about 100 KC-135 Stratotankers. On Thursday February 20, 2014 the “Pegasus”, a KC-46A tanker refueling aircraft, made its debut. Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh made the announcement about new the KC-46A named after the winged white horse mythical creature.

The Pegasus was created in an effort to replenish the fleet of KC-135 which has an astonishing amount of flight hours and has been around for some time now, as well as creating an up to date aerial tanker. According to Air Force officials on average a KC-135 is 50 years old and the average KC-10 tanker is about 30 years old. The KC-46A is due to take its first flight in the earlier part of 2015.

The capability of this aircraft will be greatly appreciated by both the Air Force and the Navy because not only can it transport 65,000 pounds of cargo and 212,000 pounds of fuel, but it can refuel via probe and drogue and a boom and receptacle. Probe and drogue refers to the air-to-air refueling system that is commonly used today and is a result of the faulty looped-hose system. The boom and receptacle also known as the flying boom is another method used for refueling aircraft mid-flight. The Air Force uses the flying boom more often and the Navy uses the probe and drogue. So in essence the KC-46A will be able to accomplish Air Force related missions as well as Navy missions.