Boeing’s KC-46 tanker program recently completed planned Phase II receiver certification flight tests.
The certification comes after three weeks of flights with F-15E aircraft from Edwards Air Force Base in California. Testing began in April with Boeing and U.S. Air Force KC-46 crews operating the F-16 aircraft. Since then, testing has also been completed with KC-135, C-17, A-10, KC-46, B-52, and F/A-18 aircraft.
KC-46 flight crews flew at different altitudes, airspeeds, and configurations to ensure performance and compatibility in the refueling envelope of each receiver.
“This accomplishment is a tribute to the Boeing/U.S. Air Force team and helps set the stage for the start of Initial Operational Test & Evaluation testing next year,” Mike Gibbons, Boeing KC-46A tanker vice president and program manager, said. “We are seeing great progress in both test and production and expect the positive momentum to continue as we begin delivering aircraft.”
Test data and paperwork will be reviewed by the Air Force and the Aerial Refueling Certification Agency before certifying each aircraft.
As of Monday, six test aircraft have supplied more than four million pounds of fuel in flight to receiver aircraft and completed more than 3,700 flight hours.
Phase III receiver certification testing will also be held at Edwards Air Force Base in 2019.