Boeing KC-46 Pegasus

KC-46 Pegasus
Boeing KC-46A prototype takes off from Paine Field on a test flight in July 2015.
Role Air-to-air tanker, strategic airlift
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 25 September 2015
Introduction 2018 (planned)
Status Under development
Primary user United States Air Force
Produced 2013–present
Program cost US$46.21 billion
Unit cost
US$188.2 million[1](FY15)
US$241.1M (with R&D)[1]
Developed from Boeing KC-767

The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus[2] is a 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 KC-135 Stratotankers. The first 18 combat-ready aircraft are to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force by August 2017 under the terms of the development contract.

Development

Background

Main article: Boeing KC-767

The U.S. Air Force ran a procurement program to replace around 100 of its oldest KC-135E Stratotankers, and selected Boeing's KC-767. The Boeing tanker received the KC-767A designation from the United States Department of Defense in 2002 and appeared in the 2004 edition of DoD model designation report.[3] The Air Force decided to lease 100 KC-767 tankers from Boeing.[4]

Despite several nations leasing military aircraft, there was criticism. US Senator John McCain and others criticized the draft leasing agreement as being wasteful and problematic. In response to the protests, the Air Force struck a compromise in November 2003, whereby it would purchase 80 KC-767 aircraft and lease 20 more.[5][6] In December 2003, the Pentagon announced the project was to be frozen when an investigation of allegations of corruption led to the jailing of one of its former procurement executives who applied to work for Boeing.[7] The Air Force's KC-767A contract was officially canceled by the DoD in January 2006.[8]

USAF KC-X Program

Main article: KC-X
Gray jet aircraft facing left on apron against a cloudless, pale blue sky. In the foreground are green grass; the foreground is a wet tarmac.
An Italian Air Force KC-767 on the apron at McConnell AFB/Boeing Factory in Wichita, Kansas in 2010

In 2006 the USAF released a request for proposal (RFP) for a new tanker program, KC-X, to be selected by 2007. Boeing had also announced it may enter an even higher capability tanker based on the Boeing 777, named the KC-777 Strategic Tanker. Airbus partnered with Northrop Grumman to offer the Airbus A330 MRTT, the tanker version of the A330, which was being marketed to the USAF under the company name, KC-30.[9]

In late January 2007 the USAF issued the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Request for Proposal. The RFP called for 179 (4 system development and demonstration and 175 production) tankers, in a contract worth an estimated US$40 billion.[10] However, Northrop and EADS expressed their displeasure at how the RFP was structured and threatened to withdraw, leaving only Boeing to offer an aircraft.[11]

On 12 February 2007, Boeing announced it was offering the KC-767 Advanced Tanker for the KC-X Tanker competition.[12] Boeing stated that for KC-X's requirements, the KC-767 was a better fit than the KC-777.[13] On 11 April 2007, Boeing submitted its KC-767 tanker proposal to U.S. Air Force.[14] The KC-767 Advanced Tanker offered for this KC-X round was based on the in-development 767-200LRF (Long Range Freighter), rather than the -200ER on which Italian and Japanese KC-767 aircraft are based[15] differing by combining the -200ER fuselage, -300F wing, gear, cargo door and floor, -400ER digital flightdeck and flaps, uprated engines, and "sixth-generation" fly-by-wire fuel delivery boom.[16] The KC-767 uses manual flight control, allowing unrestricted maneuverability to avoid threats anywhere in the flight envelope.[17]

Boeing submitted the final version of its proposal on 3 January 2008.[18] On 29 February 2008, the DoD chose the Northrop Grumman/EADS KC-30, over the KC-767. The KC-30 was subsequently designated KC-45A by the Air Force.[19] Boeing submitted a protest to the United States Government Accountability Office on 11 March 2008 and began waging a public relations campaign in support of their protest.[20] On 18 June, following a series of admissions by the Air Force on the flaws in the bidding process, the GAO upheld Boeing's protest and recommended the contract be rebid.[20] On 9 July 2008, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Air Force would reopen bidding on the tanker contract.[21] Secretary Gates put the contract for the KC-45 into an "expedited recompetition" with Defense Undersecretary John Young in charge of the selection process instead of the Air Force.[22] A draft of the revised RFP was provided to the contractors on 6 August 2008 for comments. By mid-August the revised RFP was to be finalized.[23] However, on 10 September 2008, the U.S. Defense Department canceled the KC-X solicitation.[24]

On 24 September 2009, the USAF began the first steps in the new round of bids, with a clearer set of criteria, including reducing the number of requirements from 800 to 373 in an attempt to simplify the process and allow a more objective decision to be made.[25] On 4 March 2010, Boeing announced it would bid the KC-767 tanker for the new KC-X round.[26] EADS announced in April 2010 it would submit a tanker bid without Northrop Grumman as a U.S. partner.[27][28] Boeing submitted its KC-767 "NewGen Tanker" bid on 9 July 2010.[29][30] The company submitted a revised bid on 10 February 2011.[31]

In addition to the KC-X, observers speculate that a modified KC-46 will be used as the basis of the KC-Y tanker program, the second step of the Air Force's three-step tanker renewal plan, as altering the KC-46 process and replacing it with something entirely new is likely too big of a risk.[32]

Selection and early development

On 24 February 2011, the Air Force announced the selection of Boeing's KC-767. The aircraft will receive the designation KC-46A.[33][34] Boeing was also awarded a development contract for the tanker. The contract calls for Boeing to complete and deliver 18 initial operational KC-46 tankers by 2017. The Air Force is seeking to receive a total of 179 new tankers.[35] Boeing's "NewGen Tanker" is based on the 767-200 with an improved version of the KC-10 refueling boom, and cockpit displays from the 787.[36][37]

In late June 2011, it was reported that development costs were projected to overrun by about $300 million. Boeing would be responsible for this amount, which exceeds the contract cost cap of $4.9 billion.[38][39] In July 2011, revised cost projections indicated a reduced cost overrun.[40] In March 2015, the program cost for development and procurement of 179 tankers was projected to total US$43.16 billion.[1]

In 2013, the USAF added additional crews and flight hours for the aircraft to their future plans in response to a review that showed that the best of current plans did not take full advantage of the KC-46's cargo and aeromedical evacuation advantages over the KC-135.[41]

On 21 August 2013, Boeing and the Air Force completed a critical design review (CDR) for the KC-46. The CDR was held from 8–10 July, and was completed one month ahead of the original schedule, which planned on the review to be finished on 24 September. With the CDR complete, the KC-46 design was set and production and testing could proceed. Assembling of the wing for the first aircraft began on 26 June 2013. Flight testing of the Boeing 767-2C airframe, which would be reconfigured into the KC-46, was scheduled to begin in mid-2014. The first fully equipped KC-46 tanker was projected to fly in early 2015. The contract calls for Boeing to build four test aircraft and deliver 18 combat-ready tankers by August 2017. The Air Force intended to buy 179 KC-46s, with all delivered by 2028.[42][43]

On 12 December 2013, Boeing joined the wings and fuselage for the first 767-2C to be adapted into a KC-46A.[44] On 23 December 2013, the first two PW4062 engines were delivered.[45] The first of four 767-2C provision freighters were to complete assembly by the end of January 2014. Once assembled, it would go through ground vibration and instrumentation testing and have body fuel tanks added. The first test flight would occur during summer 2014 and include measuring its rate of climb and descent. The Engineering Manufacturing and Design (EMD) model would be integrated with instrumentation, electronics, and technologies needed to become a military-standard KC-46A by January 2015. Seven low-rate production KC-46s are to be delivered in 2015, 12 in 2016, and 15 delivered annually from 2017 to 2027. The KC-46A can carry 212,000 lb of fuel, 10 percent more than the KC-135, and 65,000 lb (29,000 kg) of cargo. It has both a probe and drogue and a boom and receptacle to conduct multiple refueling missions on a single mission. Survivability is improved with infrared countermeasures and the aircraft has limited electronic warfare capabilities.[46] The airframe can be configured to carry 114 passengers and to serve as an aero-medical evacuation aircraft. The last of four test aircraft began assembly on 16 January 2014.[47]

In April 2014, the Government Accountability Office found that the KC-46 program was projected to underrun its projected cost estimate of $51.7 billion by $300 million. The program acquisition unit cost per jet will also be $287 million, $1.8 million less than estimated. The GAO noted that delays in training air crew and maintainers could cause testing to slip 6–12 months, but also stated that the program had not missed any major milestones and that the development of about 15.8 million lines of software code was progressing as planned.[48] In May 2014, the Air Force estimated the cost of the development program, including the first four aircraft, could rise from $4.4–4.9 billion to $5.85 billion.[49]

In July 2014, Boeing recorded a $272 million pre-tax charge to cover a redesign of the tanker's wiring.[50][51] The wiring issue arose when it was found that 5-10% of the wiring bundles did not have sufficient separation distance or were not properly shielded to meet an Air Force requirement for double or triple-redundant wiring for some mission systems. In September 2014, it was confirmed that the wiring redesign would delay the first 767-2C flight from June 2014 to November 2014.[52][53] The 767-2C's first flight took place on 28 December 2014; it flew from Paine Field and landed at Boeing Field.[54][55]

KC-46 during its first refueling test, with an F-16, on 24 January 2016

In July 2015, Boeing announced that it had taken a further $835 million pretax charge to pay for redesigns and retrofits required to address a faulty integrated fuel system. A Boeing spokesperson stated that “in preparing for and performing fuel system qualification testing, we identified a number of fuel system parts and components that did not meet specifications and needed to be redesigned. We’re adding the engineers and ancillary staff resources needed to support the engineering redesign, manufacturing retrofit and qualification and certification of the fuel system changes, and the conclusion of functional and flight testing."[56] Boeing may have to wait an extra eight months for $3 billion in contracts on the KC-46 because of delays caused by the wiring and fuel system parts flaws, according to the USAF. Low-rate production contracts to build the first 19 of the tankers may be delayed from August to as late as April 2016 in the latest schedule revision agreed on by the Air Force and Boeing. The planned first flight of a fully equipped KC-46 is being delayed to as late as September 2015. Air Force Spokesman, Charles Gulick, noted that the primary goal, "delivery of 18 tankers by August 2017" can be met.[57] The Bank of America/Merrill Lynch noted in July 2015 “We fail to understand how Boeing could take a $1.26 billion pre-tax charge (since it won the contract over Airbus) on the Boeing KC-46A program since the program is based on the 767 airframe that has been in production for over 30 years.”[58]

On 24 January 2016, the KC-46 successfully refueled an aircraft for the first time during a 5-hour 36 minute sortie just over the shared coast of Washington state and Oregon. This refueling was with an F-16. Next the KC-46 will test refueling a number of other military aircraft, including a C-17, F/A-18, A-10 and AV-8B.[59] On 10 February, a test KC-46 refueled a F/A-18 in the first via its probe and drogue system.[60]

On 22 March 2016, it was reported that the DoD's Defense Contract Management Agency had "low confidence in Boeing’s ability" to meet the August 2017 deadline. The agency predicts that the first 18 refueling aircraft would be delivered about seven months late, by March 2018. This is based on "past performance, current risks", such as delays in production, its assessment of new joint Air Force-Boeing schedule review, and the uncertainties with flight testing. The agency may revise its schedule estimate by June 2016. The Pentagon’s test office is to begin the tanker’s combat testing in late April 2017.[61]

In March 2015 a refueling test with a C-17 transport aircraft was stopped because of a higher-than-expected boom axial load while delivering fuel. A Boeing spokesman stated "We don't yet know the schedule impact to the planned May (2016) Milestone C decision, but the problem is well understood and we don't expect an extended delay." The problem was caused by the turbulent "bow wave effect" generated by two large aircraft flying in line.[62][63][64]

The April 2016 Report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) described Boeing’s test schedule for the KC-46 program as “optimistic” and projects Boeing will need an additional four months beyond the August 2017 target to deliver 18 full-up tankers due to testing and parts qualification issues. The report notes that operational testing will not now begin until May 2017 and will not be completed until two months after the first tranche of 18 aircraft are delivered, risking late discoveries of problems. The GAO also noted that Boeing has not obtained FAA approval for two key aerial refueling systems - the centerline drogue system and the wing aerial refueling pods, which were built without following FAA processes. Boeing now projects these components will be ready for the FAA to certify by July 2017 — over three years late.[65] The 18 aircraft were meant to include the four developmental aircraft, brought up to an operational standard, plus the first 14 low-rate production (LRP) examples. Instead, 16 of the 18 will be production line examples; because the aircraft will be delivered before operational testing is complete, Boeing will be responsible for any late design fixes.[66]

In April 2016, Boeing announced that it would closely integrate its 767 and 747 programs. Bruce Dickinson, Vice President and General Manager for these programs said "The 767 production line is quite full, so the pressure we see for that is growing. We are getting to the point where we will see by next year the line alternating as tanker-freighter-tanker-freighter." More aircraft will be assembled on the 767 line in 2016 than delivered. About 22 KC-46 aircraft are to be built and an estimated 13 delivered during the year.[67]

On 25 April 2016, the fourth test aircraft, 767-2C EMD-3 first flew. It performed operational engine checks, flight controls, and environmental systems checks, while flying to a maximum altitude of 39,000 ft. EMD-3 will conduct environmental control system testing, including hot day/cold day testing and smoke penetration testing.[68]

On 27 April 2016, Boeing took another pre-tax charge for cost overruns on the program of $243 million, bringing the total amount Boeing has paid for tanker-related cost overruns to $1.5 billion to date. "This third charge allows Boeing to maintain schedule with concurrency between late-stage development testing and the transition to initial production." The charge will be split between Boeing Commercial ($162 million) and Boeing Military ($81 million). Boeing president and chief executive Dennis Muilenburg stated that 80% of the test points required for a positive Milestone C decision had been completed.[69]

On 3 May 2016, US Air Force spokesman Daryl Mayer confirmed that Milestone C review was now expected to occur in June, "subject to completion of flight test verification” of a fix to refueling system glitches. "The problem is well understood.”[70]

Operational history

On 23 April 2014, the USAF announced that the KC-46 Pegasus will be based at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. The base will start receiving the first of 36 tankers in 2016. The KC-135 Stratotanker is currently stationed at this base.[71][72] McConnell AFB was chosen because it had low construction costs and it is in a location with a high demand for air refueling. Up to 10 operating bases are to be chosen for the KC-46 fleet. Pegasus crews will be trained at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Altus AFB was also chosen for its limited construction needs and for other training programs for the C-17 Globemaster and KC-135 already at the base.[73]

On 29 October 2015, the USAF announced that Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, was chosen as the preferred alternative for the first Reserve-led KC-46A Pegasus main operating base. The KC-46As will begin arriving at Seymour Johnson in fiscal year 2019. Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts; and Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana were named as the reasonable alternatives. The Air Force plans to begin the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP). Once the requirements of the EIAP are complete, the Air Force will make its final basing decision.[74]

Export

In June 2014, Boeing submitted the KC-46 for the Republic of Korea Air Force's requirement for four aerial tankers. The KC-46 competed with the Airbus A330 MRTT,[75] and South Korea selected the Airbus A330 MRTT in June 2015.[76]

Boeing pitched the KC-46 to the Polish Air Force for their tanker requirement.[77] In December 2014, Airbus was awarded a contract for four A330 MRTTs from a consortium of Poland, Netherlands, and Norway.[78][79]

On 23 October 2015, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force selected the KC-46 as their new tanker, with a contract for three tankers expected in 2016. The decision allows for common operations and training with the USAF, and Japan was reportedly attracted to its capability to refuel MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors the JASDF will soon receive. Airbus declined to bid their A330 MRTT, because they viewed Japan's request for proposals as intended for the KC-46. The three tankers are to be fielded around 2020 at a cost of more than ¥20.8 billion, about US$173 million per aircraft.[80]

Operators

 United States

Specifications

Data from USAF KC-46A,[83] Boeing KC-767,[84] Boeing 767-200ER[85]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

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  3. ↑ "Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles" (PDF). US: DoD. 12 May 2004. DoD 4120.15L.
  4. ↑ Tirpak, John A. "100 Tankers". Air Force magazine, August 2003.
  5. ↑ "Tanker Twilight Zone", Air Force magazine 87 (2), February 2004
  6. ↑ Pope, Charles. "Pentagon finalizes Boeing tanker deal". Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7 November 2003.
  7. ↑ Cahlink, George, "Ex-Pentagon procurement executive gets jail time". Government Executive, October 1, 2004.
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  10. ↑ Air Force Posts KC-X Request for Proposals. USAF, 2007-01-30.
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  15. ↑ "Boeing Offers KC-767 Advanced Tanker to U.S. Air Force". Boeing, 12 February 2007.
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  66. ↑ "Boeing's 'optimistic' KC-46 plan delivers 18 tankers in six months". FlightGlobal. 12 April 2016.
  67. ↑ "Boeing Restructures To Hold The Line On 747-8". Aviation Week. 22 April 2016.
  68. ↑ "Fourth KC-46 test aircraft completes initial flight". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. 27 April 2016.
  69. ↑ "Boeing records $243 million KC-46 charge as it seeks LRIP contract". FlightGlobal. 27 April 2016.
  70. ↑ "Boeing KC-46 Tanker $3b Production Decision Slips to June". Bloomberg. 3 May 2016.
  71. ↑ "USAF: McConnell to house next generation tankers". KWCH, 22 April 2014.
  72. ↑ "McConnell gets final OK for refueling tankers, prepares to spend $219 million for construction". The Wichita Eagle, 22 April 2014.
  73. ↑ "Altus selected for KC-46A training". Militarytimes.com, 23 April 2014.
  74. ↑ Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs (29 October 2015). "Seymour-Johnson chosen for first Reserve-led KC-46A basing". Air Force Reserve Command. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  75. ↑ "Boeing offers KC-46 for South Korea tanker requirement". Flightglobal.com, 30 June 2014.
  76. ↑ "South Korea Selects Airbus for $1.33B Tanker Contract". Defense News. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  77. ↑ Boeing eyes Poland as first KC-46A export buyer - Flightglobal.com, 3 September 2014
  78. ↑ "Airbus leaps ahead of Boeing in race for airborne tanker exports". Puget Sound Business Journal. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  79. ↑ "European Partners Opt for Airbus Military Tanker". The Wall Street Journal. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  80. ↑ Japan chooses Boeing KC-46, halting Airbus tanker winning streak - Flightglobal.com, 23 October 2015
  81. 1 2 3 "McConnell, Pease and Altus chosen to host KC-46A tanker". Air Force Times. 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  82. ↑ http://www.afrc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/136/Article/626528/seymour-johnson-chosen-for-first-reserve-led-kc-46a-basing.aspx
  83. ↑ KC-46A Tanker Factsheet. U.S. Air Force, 18 May 2011.
  84. 1 2 3 KC-767 Advanced Tanker product card (archive copy), KC-767 International Tanker backgrounder. Boeing.
  85. ↑ 767-200ER specifications. Boeing.

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