Boeing successfully fueled two KC-46 tankers in-flight, completing its required Supplemental Type Certificate on-load testing.

The test, required by the Federal Aviation Administration, involved transferring 146,000 pounds of fuel from one tanker to a second one during a 3-hour, 48-minute flight, Boeing announced Wednesday in the news release.

In the test, the maximum fuel off-load rate was 1,200 gallons per minute.

Both fuel tankers took off and landed at Boeing Field, which is south of Seattle.

In all, the KC-46 has successfully transferred fuel from three other tankers -- a KC-46, as well as the KC-135 and KC-10. KC-46 tankers took on 540,600 pounds of fuel and completed 68 contacts with refueling aircraft in the three tests.

The KC-46 is the planned replacement for the KC-135 tanker, with Boeing currently working with the Air Force to complete STC testing of the converted 767-2C aircraft.

The KC-46 is designed to refuel U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft using its boom and hose and drogue systems. In addition, it will be be able to take on fuel to extend its operational range.

Smaller aircraft can be refueled with up to 400 gallons of fuel per minute from both the plane's wing and centerline.

Boeing's KC-46 test aircraft have logged 2,700 flight hours and more than 2,500 contacts in refueling flights, including transfers of fuel to F-16, F/A-18, AV-8B, C-17, A-10, KC-10 and KC-46 aircraft.

Boeing first tested the KC-46 transfer system last October.

Boeing is expected to deliver more than a dozen KC-46s to the Air Force later this year.

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Navy taps General Electric for F/A-18 engines
Washington (UPI) Apr 4, 2018
The U.S. Navy has exercised a contract option with Generic Electric for engines in its F/A-18 fighter aircraft. The $91.6 million contract modification will pay for 24 F414-GE-400 engines, to be installed in F/A-18 aircraft, according to a Defense Department news release. Work on the contract will be conducted by General Electric in Lynn, Mass., Hooksett, N.H., Rutland, Vt., and Madisonville, Ky., and is expected to be completed in February 2019. The Navy will pay the full $91.6 m ... read more