Summary The retirement of the KC-10 Extender hints at future trends with the KC-46 Pegasus. The KC-46 Pegasus offers updated capabilities compared to the KC-135 Stratotanker. Testing of autonomous systems in the USAF aims to revolutionize air-to-air refueling.
As I noted in a couple of previous articles, the KC-10 Extender is being retired. Meanwhile, the KC-135 Stratotanker is not too far behind. The KC-10 was designed to supplement the KC-135 for USAF aerial refueling ops.
Yet the KC-10 is actualte first of the two to be retired. Why? So then, what does this mean for future trends in military air-to-air refueling? The short answer, of course, is the KC-46 Pegasus. But, since we at Simple Flying aren't content to settle for a short answer (gee, what fun would that be?), we now explore the question in greater detail.
" N.K,A.W.
T.G. (Nobody Kicks Ass Without Tanker Gas) "--unofficial tanker pilot motto Behold the Pegasus The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus made its maiden flight on December 28, 2014.
Itperformed its first successful aerial refueling mission (an F-16 Fighting Falcon was the beneficiary of the tanker's services) in January 2016, and entering operational service with the US Air Force in 2019. The USAF approved the Pegasus for operational use in 2022, and intends to procure 179 of the tankers by 2027. The KC-46 Pegasus is a much-needed replacement for the KC-135 tanker.
One of the Pegasus's chief improvements over its ancestors' and predecessors' refueling systems is described by Simple Flying's Justin Foster in a November 2023 article : "Unlike other aerial refueling aircraft, the boom operator is not required to sit in the tail and look out a window to operate the boom. The aircraft's Aerial Refueling Operator Station (AROS) allows the operator to sit in the front cabin to use the refueling boom." "This system also utilizes a Remote Vision System (RVS) and several sets of cameras to ensure the operator can adequately see the aircraft it is refueling.
In addition to the typical boom system, the KC-46 utilizes wing air refueling pods." Beyond the Pegasus: autonomous systems Meanwhile, the USAF isn't content to sit idly by whilst waiting for the Pegasus to attain full operational capability (FOC). It's testing future technologies to enhance air-to-air refueling capabilities in the older, tried-and-true aerial platforms.
Learn more about FOC . This is evident from an article published on the MacDill AFB website this past May, which discusses the testing of autonomous systems via the existing KC-135 fleet under a so-called Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA): "With a vision to redefine air refueling, Air Mobility Command is partnering with an innovative aviation technology startup to test cutting-edge autonomous systems that could revolutionize military aviation..
. 'Our job is not to replace pilots, but to make their job safer,' said a spokesperson from the technology company..
.' "'Our whole goal is to develop technology that can be operated as safe or safer than current aircraft systems',,, 'We’re trying to identify the pinch points where our technology can help—what requires a lot of time, attention, and presents hazards,' said the spokesperson." The KC-135 outlasted the KC-10 as the USAF's midair refueler.
Simple Flying now examines the Stratotanker's military mission roles. Accordingly, team members of this unnamed startup firm took to the air in the Stratotanker alongside aircrew members of the 6th Air Refueling Wing (ARW). They also conducted in-depth interviews with aircrew with the 6th ARW crew dogs to gain insight into their experiences and areas for potential automation.
“'The efforts of this cooperation would be game changing in time-crunched and high-stressed environments when pilots’ attention must be on flying the aircraft first,' said Maj. Kristy Ciampa, 50th Air Refueling Squadron pilot. 'If we can augment the flying, we can increase our crew’s overall capability, situational awareness, and bandwidth to accomplish more time-critical, tactical, yet secondary tasks.
'” The first demonstration is expected sometime in 2025. MacDill AFB is located 4 miles (6.4 km) south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida , and, in addition to hosting the 6th Refueling Wing, is also home to the HQ of US Central Command (CENTCOM) and US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) .
More specifics, please? Okay, all well and good, you might say, but that article didn't have much in the way of specific technologies, or even the name of that "aviation technology startup." So then, who are some of the corporate players in this game, and what do they have to offer? For one thing, Leonardo DRS (headquartered in Arlington, VA) is doing its part to ensure that the aforementioned AROS system for the KC-46 isn't remaining frozen in time. Back on May 7, the company announced that Boeing had awarded them a contract to the upgraded AROS 2.
0 system for new additions to the Pegasus fleet. The AROS 2.0 systems will be assembled at the company's Johnston, Pennsylvania Manufacturing Center of Excellence.
Meanwhile, Eaton Corporation plc (incorporated in Dublin, Ireland, with a primary administrative center in Beachwood, Ohio, USA) is currently working on what it dubs an "actively stabilized drogue," which uses automation to make the traditional probe-and-drogue system safer and less susceptible to unpredictable weather patterns or sudden turbulence that in turn could lead to unsuccessful contact with the receiver aircraft, aircraft damage or even mission cancelations. Eaton's initial testing consisted of the following key components: Digital Twin Modeling : The creation of a computer-based copy or “digital twin” of the product; this "twin" is built using data from various sources, including flight tests, laboratory tests, and in-service measurements. Virtual Reality Simulator : A highly realistic, multi-physics flight environment that uses the digital twin model to assess how the probe-and-drogue (or "hose-and-drogue," to use the Eaton terminology) product set reacts to human inputs as well as typical environmental occurrences (i.
e. wind, turbulence, etc.); in addition to simulations, it can be used to train pilots on the system’s modifications before ever having to depart terra firma .
The company's info page adds: "When wind gusts or other atmospheric disturbances occur during a refueling mission, the drogue’s active stabilization holds a steady position relative to the tanker aircraft. The pilots and aircrew on both the receiver and tanker platforms do not need to intervene which, in turn, reduces stress, workload and refueling cycle time. Enabling pilots to complete these missions more quickly and confidently is reason enough to invest in automation solutions.
" "Although more testing and evaluation lie ahead, it’s evident that the actively stabilized drogue is a viable solution that will have a substantial impact on the operational efficiency and effectiveness of refueling missions. Ultimately, the most significant advantage is pilot safety." The big picture, i.
e. the way ahead Airforce Technology lists 17 "key players in aerial refueling – a disruptive innovation in the aerospace and defense industry." I'm not sure why the anonymous author chooses the descriptor "disruptive," as that has a rather negative connotation.
In any event, besides the aforementioned Leonard DRS and Eaton, the following companies also make the list: Lockheed Martin ; recently entered into an agreement with Airbus and the USAF to manufacture aerial refueling booms for the LMXT strategic tanker aircraft. Boeing ; researching the unmanned tanker aircraft concept through the development of the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial refueling system) Israel Aerospace Industries ; teaming up with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to convert civil passenger aircraft into refueling tankers through the integration of new technologies BAE Systems Embraer Icon Polymer Group SoftBank Advent International AeroVironment Aviation Industry Corp of China Ltd SELEX Galileo ABB Intertrade General Electic (G.E.
) LIG Group.
