The first newest multipurpose air propellant KC-46A Pegasus produced by Boeing arrived at the USAF McConnell Air Force Base (Kansas).
According to experts, in the foreseeable future it is planned to deliver three more such KC-46A tankers to the same airbase. In this case, the first tanker will be used for initial military trials and evaluation, which should begin in March-May 2019. The next four aircraft will deliver to the Altius base (Oklahoma) next month.
In this regard, the base began a massive modernization and reconstruction. Base sharpen the functionality of the new tanker. The total cost of the work is $ 267 million.
Unfortunately, the design of the new tanker has not yet been finalized. The military noted the following shortcomings: problems in the system of remote control refueling and in the boom system refueling. Boeing has pledged to eliminate the deficiencies found during the tests at its own expense.
By the way, at present the program is significantly behind schedule - the first KC-46A was planned to be put into service in 2016.
