Whereas the Stratofreighter used a “flying boom” refueling system, the Pegasus makes use of a probe-and-drogue system (aka hose-and-drogue). Instead of a inflexible tube, a “long, flexible hose with a funnel-shaped drogue on the end” plugs straight right into a retractable probe on the airplane needing gasoline. This computerized fly-by-wire system will be operated independently from the growth system.

Since the first perform of this airplane is to offer gasoline to state-of-the-art plane, the Pegasus should characteristic upgrades not seen earlier than. The receiver envelope on the KC-46A’s growth is 3 times bigger than the one discovered on the previous KC-135. It can carry 212,000 kilos of gasoline, and since first being delivered to McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas in January 2019, has offloaded greater than 100 million kilos of gasoline.

The KC-46A is not only a passive beast that feeds fuel-starved fighter jets. It’s outfitted with combat-ready real-time countermeasures, all of which mix “to detect, avoid, defeat, and survive threats.” Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) integration can present the fleet with situational consciousness by exchanging knowledge with the planes throughout refueling. Additionally, it is hardened in opposition to nuclear, chemical, and organic assaults, and the flight deck armor provides one other layer of safety.

However, the Pegasus isn’t with out its issues. Not solely has it value Boeing over $7 billion in losses, however it’s additionally within the midst of fixing a number of “Category 1 deficiencies” with the plane. An Air Force spokesperson mentioned these deficiencies are so extreme they “may cause death, severe injury, or severe occupational illness” if not corrected.