USAF Boeing KC-46A Pegasus Tanker Successfully Completes First Global Circumnavigation.

On July 1st, 2024, the US Air Force announced that the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus had successfully completed the first circumnavigation of the world for this type of aircraft, taking off from McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas and heading west. Named Project Magellan, the operation aimed to demonstrate the KC-46A Pegasus's capability to transport critical cargo globally. The aircraft took off on June 29 at 4 PM Pacific Time, registered under the call sign REACH 046, according to details reported by The Aviationist.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

USAF Boeing KC-46A Pegasus Tanker Aircraft (Picture source: US MoD)

Captain Cody Donahue, executive officer of the 22nd Operations Group and planner of Project Magellan, emphasized the importance of this mission: "It was crucial to demonstrate that the KC-46A can support global air operations, both for humanitarian missions and for deploying combat power."

To support this 45-hour flight, two KC-46s were sent to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker to RAF Mildenhall in England, and another KC-135 to the Central Command area of responsibility in the United States. They were supported by a KC-135 from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall and a KC-135 from the Utah Air National Guard.

According to the Air & Space Forces Magazine 2024 Almanac, as of September 30, 2023, the US Air Force had 72 KC-46As and 376 KC-135s. The significant difference in numbers justifies the use of KC-135s for this mission, ensuring continuous refueling capacity and adequate coverage.

While the majority of the US Air Force's combat aircraft are designed and assembled by Boeing, the B-2 Spirit remains a notable exception, with Boeing having been a subcontractor for its manufacture.

This historic mission highlights the capability and flexibility of the KC-46A Pegasus and confirms the crucial role of refueling aircraft in maintaining the American air force's global presence, underlining their ability to "overcome the tyranny of distance."

The Boeing KC-46A Pegasus is a multi-role tanker aircraft based on the Boeing 767-200ER platform. Primarily designed for air refueling, the KC-46A incorporates advanced technologies such as a cockpit similar to the Boeing 787, an electronically controlled refueling boom, and a remote boom operator's station. It is also equipped for medical evacuation missions, increasing its versatility across various operation theaters.

In terms of defense, the KC-46A is equipped with an advanced suite of large aircraft infrared countermeasures (LAIRCM), radar warning receiver (RWR), and enhanced tactical situational awareness. These technologies are essential for operating in hostile environments and for relaying communications, while also being hardened against nuclear, chemical, and biological threats.

The KC-46A program began with a prototype flight in December 2014, and the first delivery took place in January 2019. The initial plan called for the production of 179 aircraft to replace part of the USAF's KC-135R fleet. However, program delays have postponed full-rate production, originally planned for Lot 3, to Lot 10, with Fiscal Year 2023 funding intended for the purchase of 15 additional tankers.

Operationally, the KC-46 has demonstrated impressive refueling capacity, with a fuel transfer capability of up to 207,672 pounds via the boom and the ability to accommodate 58 patients in its medical evacuation configuration. It can also transport 58 passengers or up to 114 in contingency operations, and its cargo load capacity reaches 65,000 pounds across 18 pallet positions. These features underscore its critical role in logistical and operational support on a global scale.