Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Boeing, USAF fly KC-46 prototype

Boeing, USAF fly KC-46 prototype: Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have for the first time flown a prototype aircraft in the KC-46 Pegasus development program.

The aircraft flown in the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the program was a modified 767-2C freighter, upon which the aerial refueler will be based.

"Getting in the air is a critical step in the development of this important capability for the warfighter," said Brig. Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, the program executive officer for tankers at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. "The team at Boeing has done a remarkable job creating an entirely new aircraft that will soon become the backbone of our ability to project power anywhere in the world."

The modified 767-2C will be outfitted with a refueling boom and other military specific equipment and systems following certification.