DefenceTalkBoeing and U.S. Air Force aircrews successfully completed the KC-46A tanker’s first refueling flight today in the skies above Washington state. Following takeoff from Boeing Field in Seattle, the KC-46A test team worked through a series of test points before smoothly offloading 1,600 pounds of fuel to an F-16 fighter aircraft flying at 20,000 feet. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-us-air-force-make-history-with-first-kc-46a-tanker-refueling-flight-66546/

DefenceTalkThe Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed the first fuel transfer with the air refuelling boom from a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to a US Air Force (USAF) F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at Edwards Air Force Base in California. A total of 59 contacts were conducted of which five contacts transferred 43,200 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raaf-kc30a-tanker-refuels-f-35a-fighter-in-first-test-65511/

DefenceTalkWRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio: A KC-46A Pegasus tanker (EMD-2) made history with its first flight Sept. 25 from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, landing a few hours later at Boeing Field in Seattle. “The KC-46A will provide critical refueling capacity and enhanced capabilities to the warfighter,” said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. “This […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46a-tanker-completes-successful-first-flight-65497/

DefenceTalkFrance: Boeing and the government of Qatar recently signed an agreement for the purchase of four more C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. These aircraft will join the Qatar Armed Forces’ (QAF) existing fleet of four and help meet their ongoing airlift requirements. “We are very pleased with the C-17s from Boeing and look forward to doubling […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-qatar-confirm-purchase-of-four-c-17s-64519/

DefenceTalkThe KC-46 acquisition cost estimate has declined by about 5.4 percent from $51.7 billion to $48.9 billion since February 2011 and the program is on track to meet performance goals. Most of the estimated cost decline is due to fewer than expected engineering changes and changes in military construction plans. The Air Force delayed the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46-tanker-aircraft-costs-drop-5-but-key-flight-capability-testing-lags-behind-63799/

DefenceTalkThe KC-46 Pegasus development program completed its first flight of Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) aircraft #1 Dec. 28. EMD #1 is a provisioned 767-2C freighter and the critical building block for the KC-46 missionized aerial refueler. The maiden flight took off at 9:29 AM PST from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, and landed at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-completes-successful-first-flight-in-kc-46-program-61226/

DefenceTalkThe Australian Government has begun the process of purchasing two additional C-17A Globemaster strategic airlift aircraft, Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston announced today. Senator Johnston said should the Government elect to exercise this option the two extra Globemasters would significantly enhance the Royal Australian Air Force’s capacity for operational tasks, disaster relief and humanitarian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-to-buy-2-4-more-c-17s-60649/

DefenceTalkIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently performed successful test-flights on a B767-300ER aircraft, equipped with an advanced Fly-by-Wire (FBW) boom system. The new added FBW boom capability, for this specific type of aircraft, joins and enhances the company’s extensive experience in converting tens of aircraft (B767, B707, C130, and IL-78) to tankers or multi mission tanker/transport […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iai-tests-fly-by-wire-boom-for-new-tanker-60463/

DefenceTalkThe Airbus A400M new generation airlifter has performed successfully air-to-air refueling tests with a F/A-18 Hornet fighter. The tanker test campaign was developed in five flights in which the A400M performed 33 dry contacts and dispensed 18.6 tonnes of fuel to an F/A-18 Hornet in 35 wet contacts. With a basic fuel capacity of 50.8 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airbus-a400m-successfully-demonstrates-tanker-capability-60447/

DefenceTalkThe KC-46 program has made good progress over the past year—acquisition costs have remained relatively stable, the critical design review was successfully completed, the program is on track to meet performance parameters, and the contractor started building development aircraft. As shown, total program acquisition costs—which include development, production, and military construction costs—and unit costs have […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46-tanker-aircraft-program-on-track-but-upcoming-schedule-remains-challenging-59302/