Boeing provides updated KC-46A briefing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tara Fadenrecht
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Representatives from the Boeing Company provided McConnell Airmen with an update on the current status of the KC-46A Pegasus, Dec. 4, here.

"This was a great opportunity to sit down with the people who are really going to be working on the aircraft and help them understand what's coming their way," said Danny Wright, Boeing KC-46A chief mechanic.

The presentation included a digital tour that gave viewers a detailed look at the exterior and interior of the plane and its intricate parts.

Wright provided narration for the virtual tour and discussed topics ranging from the hydraulics system to the set-up of the air refueling operations station and even the composition of the windows.

Compared to the KC-135 Stratotanker, Wright said, the KC-46A includes updates in areas including performance, aerodynamics, maintainability, safety and Federal Aviation Administration compliance.

Airmen in attendance were able to ask questions and interact with Wright throughout the presentation.

"It gave McConnell an idea of what to expect with the new weapons system coming online," said Lt. Col. Corbett Peterson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing KC-46A program integration office chief. "There will be different ways to maintain this aircraft as opposed to the KC-135, so this will help prepare us to be able to receive the aircraft."

McConnell Air Force Base is the first main operating base for the KC-46A with the first aircraft scheduled to arrive in fiscal year 2016. The new tankers will offer greater refueling capacity, increased capabilities for cargo and aeromedical evacuation and will provide aerial refueling support to the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps as well as allied nation coalition force aircraft.