The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus air tanker can already refuel any aircraft in flight, except the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II

The U.S. Air Force announced that Boeing's FC-46 Pegasus air tanker can already refuel any but one model of aircraft in flight.

Here's What We Know

General Mike Minihan, head of the Air Mobility Command, told the Air Space Cyber conference that the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus can be used to refuel any aircraft in the air. This would allow the tankers to be used in different parts of the world.

However, the command later had to clarify that there is one aircraft that still does not support aerial refueling. This is the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, nicknamed the Warthog by Fairchild Republic.

The problem is the stiffness of the refueling rod. The U.S. Air Force is working to solve it, but has been unable to do anything for three years. Recall that Boeing received $55.5 million to refine the boom in 2019. The work is still ongoing.

The company has also announced the possibility of an international deployment of the KC-46 Pegasus. The aircraft demonstrated this in late summer. Three tankers were able to refuel F-15E Strike Eagle fighters as part of tests in Qatar.

In addition, for the first time in Qatar, the Military Data Network communications system on the KC-46 was used successfully. It allowed the Pegasus to act as a hardened hub that connects the air operations center with other aircraft in the sky, increasing situational awareness on the battlefield.

Source: Defense News

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