Latest news with #KC-135Stratotanker
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate confirms Meink as next Air Force secretary
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Troy Meink as the next Air Force secretary in a 74-25 vote, with multiple Democrats breaking ranks to vote for President Donald Trump's nominee. Meink, who previously served as deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, will now take charge of the Air Force and Space Force. He has a deep background in acquisition and technology development specializing in space and also served as NRO's director of signals intelligence systems acquisition. His career at the Air Force has included service as deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for space and, while at the Air Force Research Laboratory in New Mexico, stints as a program manager, senior research engineer and chief technical adviser. He served in the Air Force beginning in 1988 as a navigator on the KC-135 Stratotanker. Meink will take over the Department of the Air Force at a time of significant transformation, as virtually all major portions of its aircraft fleet are in the process of modernizing. That includes overseeing the service's planned sixth-generation fighter, dubbed the F-47, as prime contractor Boeing begins the complicated process of developing and then delivering a complex, advanced aircraft without breaking the bank. The Air Force is also developing multiple versions of semiautonomous drone wingmen, known as collaborative combat aircraft, that will fly alongside the F-47, the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and potentially other aircraft. The service is in the midst of a major revamp of its bomber force as it brings on the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber to replace the retiring B-1 and B-2 bombers. The Air Force eventually plans to have a two-bomber fleet made up of the B-21, alongside heavily revamped B-52J Stratofortresses. And the Air Force is worried about its LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile. That program, which is to be built by Northrop Grumman, is planned to succeed the aging Minuteman III nuclear missile program, but higher-than-expected construction costs have forced the service to rethink its approach to Sentinel. Meink's acquisition background could help the service manage these multiple programs. His space expertise could also benefit the Space Force, whose missions are expanding and which has sought to grow its budget to handle them. In his nomination hearing in March, Meink pledged to push for the Space Force to get the resources it needs, given the growing role it will likely play in future military actions. 'Space is going to be one of the determining factors' in a future conflict, Meink said. 'We definitely need to get that right.' But Meink's relationship with SpaceX founder and Trump administration adviser Elon Musk created controversy. Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois in February raised concerns about what they termed a 'potential quid pro quo' between Meink and Musk, after reports surfaced that Meink had favored SpaceX for a contract while running NRO. 'These are incredibly serious allegations of misconduct and favoritism,' they wrote in a letter to Meink. 'These reports raise concerns about your ability, if confirmed as secretary, to treat contractors fairly and prioritize the Air Force's mission over Elon Musk's business interests.' According to a Politico report, Meink disclosed to lawmakers in written responses that Musk was present for his interview with Trump, but said several other people were also present and Musk did not ask any questions. Musk's presence at the interview raised eyebrows among some ethics experts, who called it unusual. Meink denied having a relationship with Musk or SpaceX beyond executing his duties as head of NRO, and said he did not ask for Musk to support him to be Air Force secretary, nor did Musk ask him for anything.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KC-46 vision system upgrade slips to 2027, 3 years behind schedule
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The KC-46 Pegasus refueling tanker's troubled remote vision system is now unlikely to see a replacement upgrade until summer 2027, the Air Force said, putting the Boeing program more than three years behind schedule. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed in an email Wednesday that the current projection for fielding the system, known as RVS 2.0, is roughly two years away, but did not say what is causing the latest schedule slip. Boeing referred questions to the Air Force. 'The Air Force and Boeing are exploring opportunities to prevent or mitigate the slip in schedule,' the spokesperson said. Older refueling tankers like the KC-10 Extender and KC-135 Stratotanker require boom operators to look through a window in the back while steering a boom into the receiving aircraft. KC-135 boom operators must lie on their stomachs while doing so. When the KC-46 was designed, it promised a major change to how that work is done. Boom operators in the Pegasus sit in stations towards the front of the tanker and use cameras, sensors and screens to guide the refueling boom. But the KC-46's original Collins-made remote vision system was beset by problems from the start. That faulty vision system does not respond quickly enough to changing sun and shadows, and sometimes produces a distorted image, which the Air Force fears could lead to receiving aircraft getting hit and damaged by the boom. Boeing developed a replacement, dubbed RVS 2.0, that uses a series of sensors, screens and 4K ultrahigh-definition cameras to produce a 3D, full-color image for boom operators. RVS 2.0 was initially supposed to be released in March 2024. That deadline has slipped multiple times, due to supply chain problems and delays in the Federal Aviation Administration's airworthiness certification process. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told lawmakers Tuesday that the KC-46 now has five category 1 deficiencies, two of which stem from its remote vision system. Allvin predicted RVS 2.0 might need another 18 months of work. 'It's operating, it's just not operating as we would expect it to,' Allvin told the House Appropriations Committee. The KC-46's stiff refueling boom is also a lingering problem, Allvin said. The tanker still cannot refuel the A-10 Warthog because of that boom stiffness issue, he said, and the service hasn't tested the KC-46 with the E-7 Wedgetail the service plans to bring into its fleet. Allvin said that a week ago, he and Air Mobility Command head Gen. Jon Lamontagne met with Boeing Defense, Space and Security head Steve Parker, go 'line-by-line' through the outstanding major problems with the KC-46. 'It is capable; it's not optimal,' Allvin said.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Forbes Field becomes finalist to house new military aircraft
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Forbes Field is set to host some visitors in early April who will survey the airport to see if it can house a massive military aircraft in the near future. The 190th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) announced in a press release on Monday, March 31 that it will be welcoming a site survey team made up of members from the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Air Force (USAF) in April who will determine if Forbes Field is capable of being a new base for the KC-46A Pegasus. Forbes Field is one of seven finalists being considered to house the massive military refueling aircraft. 'The KC-46 brings more capability than just fuel to aerial warfare,' said Col. Kent Crane,Commander, 190th ARW. 'This is critical for our Airmen and aircrew who would be fighting in potential future conflicts.' The 190th ARW said the potential for Forbes Field to house the KC-46A Pegasus would lead to a 'significant impact' on the 190th ARW and the local community. It would lead to new opportunities for collaboration and enhance the economic and strategic impact of the organization in the region. Food shipment to Harvesters canceled amid DOGE cuts 'It's always exciting getting to showcase the 190th, especially the members of the 190th because they're so adaptable, they're innovative, and they excel at everything they do,' said Col. Marjorie Durkes, Deputy Commander, 190th ARW. 'It's so exciting to showcase not only the 190th but the Topeka community and how we've all come together around this.' A final decision on the new KC-46A Pegasus basing will come in the fall of 2025. The KC-46 Pegasus will replace the iconic KC-135 Stratotanker. The USAF describes the KC-46A Pegasus as the next step in revitalizing the aging U.S. tanker fleet. It is recognized for being able to provide greater refueling, cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities as compared to the KC-135. The KC-46A Pegasus You can learn more about the aircraft and what it is used for by clicking here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kirtland Air Fiesta returning to Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – After a six-year hiatus, the Kirtland Air Fiesta is returning to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. Both modern and classic aircraft will be on display, including performandes by the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team from Shaw Air Force Base and the F-35 Lightning II, flown by pilots from Luke Air Force Base. Albuquerque police sergeant placed on leave in connection to DWI Unit scandal Guests will also see the process of air refueling a KC-135 Stratotanker and a C-17 Globemaster III from Altus Air Force Base, along with maneuvers by the U.S. Air Force Academy Glider Demo Team and the U.S. Army Golden Knights, the Army's premier parachute team. The 58th Special Operations Wing at the base will also bring a display of specialized aircraft, including the MC-130, AC-130, HC-130, HH-60, Huey, and CV-22. This year's air show will take place on May 31 and June 1 at the base. Kirtland AFB has also streamlined parking arrangements this year to include a park and ride. The base said it would release more event information at a later date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
