Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) 1st Boeing [BA] KC-46A tanker 'refuels' and 'get refueled' from another KC-46A Pegasus !

Successful Refuelling Operations !

The first Boeing KC-46A tanker manufactured for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) refueled another KC-46A Pegasus in an operational test over Washington State on Aug. 9 and received fuel in return as well, the company said on Aug. 16.

“Refueling with the first Japan KC-46A is an important milestone for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force,” said Jamie Burgess, KC-46 program manager. “KC-46A is the world’s most advanced air refueling aircraft and has already transferred more than 42 million gallons of fuel to other aircraft globally through its boom and drogue systems.”

The KC-46A Pegasus is a widebody, multirole tanker that can refuel all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. Boeing designed the KC-46 to carry passengers, cargo and patients.

The aircraft can detect, avoid, defeat and survive threats using multiple layers of protection, which will enable it to operate safely in medium-threat environments.

• Japan is the KC-46 program’s first non-U.S. customer and is scheduled to receive its first aircraft this year.
• Boeing is assembling the KC-46A aircraft for both the U.S. Air Force and Japan on its 767 production line in Everett, Washington.
• Boeing's Japanese partners produce 16 percent of the KC-46A airframe structure, according to the company.

“State-of-the-art refueling makes the KC-46A a standout, but this tanker goes well beyond that,” said Will Shaffer, president of Boeing Japan. “The ability to carry cargo and passengers while maintaining tactical situational awareness makes the aircraft a critical tool in the security alliance between the U.S. and Japan.”

It is learned that , the Japan KC-46A is capable of refueling U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and JASDF aircraft , and will be certified for the same as well.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a contract for the JASDF’s first KC-46A tanker in December 2017. The agreement was completed through the Foreign Military Sale process between the U.S. government and Japan. A second Japan tanker is already in production.

Troubled Past !

Though its a happier moment for Boeing as they are at final stages of delivering the JASDF aircraft, the aerospace giant needs to come out of the problems from the troubled Pegasus program, which has, in the past, resulted in deliveries to the U.S. Air Force being suspended following debris being left in delivered aircraft.

Hopefully, Previous concerns , those have been centered on problems with the aerial refueling systems and the remote vision system that aids tanking will not touble Boeing again.

Boeing is assembling the KC-46A aircraft for both the U.S. Air Force and Japan on its 767 production line in Everett, Washington. Boeing’s Japanese partners produce 16% of the KC-46A airframe structure.

Pictures : Boeing .