Latest news with #KC-46APegasus
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
McConnell moving aircraft ahead of severe weather
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – With severe storms expected to hit the Wichita area Sunday and Monday evening, McConnell Air Force Base is relocating aircraft to protect them from potential damage. Aircrews from the 22nd and 931st Air Refueling Wings began moving the base's fleet of KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft to other military installations across the country on Saturday afternoon. The National Weather Service forecast includes the potential for damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes. Storm Track 3 Forecast: A few severe storms tonight, tornadoes possible Sunday Relocating the aircraft ensures they remain mission-ready and avoids any disruption to ongoing or future refueling operations, officials said. Aircraft currently undergoing maintenance will remain at McConnell but are being stored inside hangars. Flightline vehicles and other equipment are also being secured as the base prepares for a range of possible severe weather outcomes. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Will Forbes get the Air Force's new refueling tanker? Here's what we know
A massive new tanker is revitalizing the Air Force's refueling fleet, and a site survey team pondering whether to choose Topeka to house some of those planes is expected to visit Forbes Field Air National Guard Base in early April. The visit is a "crucial step" in identifying the Air Force's next home for newly built KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers, the Forbes-based 190th Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard said in a news release. The Air Force revealed in October that Forbes was among seven bases being considered to house eight of the tankers beginning in 2031, with bases in New Hampshire, New Jersey and Michigan having already been chosen for that distinction. A final decision is expected in the fall of 2025, the news release said. The Air Force, through its KC-X tanker competition, chose the Boeing-produced Pegasus in 2011 to replace its KC-135 Stratotankers, which have been in service in 1957. In Greek mythology, Pegasus is a winged horse, usually depicted as a white stallion. The Pegasus will bring increased cargo capacity and improved refueling, protection and flight distance capabilities, according to the Air Force. Boeing is modeling the aircraft on its 767 jet airliners, the Air Force said, adding that it received its first delivery in 2019 and plans to have 179 Pegasus aircraft by 2027 on a contract valued at roughly $35 billion. "The KC-46 brings more capability than just fuel to aerial warfare," said Col. Kent Crane, commander of the 190th. "This is critical for our airmen and aircrew who would be fighting in potential future conflicts." Unlike many existing tankers, the Pegasus can also receive fuel, the Boeing website says. "The KC-46A delivers more fuel at all ranges and from shorter runways than the KC-135 aircraft it's replacing — while utilizing less ramp space than competing tankers — ensuring mission reach from forward and austere airfields," it says. Forbes's location in the geographic center of the nation is among reasons the 190th says it should be chosen to house the Pegasus. Other reasons it cites include the 190th's existing infrastructure, growth potential, cost-effective operations and strong partnerships. "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, the 190th's deputy commander. "It's so exciting to showcase not only the 190th but the Topeka community and how we've all come together around this." Forbes' selection would significantly benefit the 190th and the Topeka community, according to the 190th's news release. "The increased mission scope would strengthen existing relationships, create new opportunities for collaboration, and enhance the economic and strategic impact of the 190th ARW within the region," it said. The site survey team visiting Topeka in early April consists of members from the National Guard Bureau and active duty Air Force, according to the 190th's news release. It said Forbes is competing for the distinction of housing the Pegasus with six other locations. They are as follows: Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama. Bangor Air National Guard Base in Maine. Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian, Mississippi. McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tennessee. Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio. Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@ or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Team to decide if Forbes will be home to new USAF refueling tanker
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
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cracks In KC-46 Tankers Halt All Deliveries
The Air Force will inspect its entire fleet of 89 KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers after cracks were found on two of the four new planes set to be sent to the Military Delivery Center, the Air Force told The War Zone exclusively. The issue was discovered by Boeing, which makes the jets, the Air Force said. In addition, Boeing 'is taking measures to temporarily halt deliveries until we fully understand the root cause and implement an effective corrective action plan,' the Air Force stated in response to our query about the latest problems with the troubled Pegasus program. After the inspection, if any cracks are found, 'the aircraft will undergo repairs before flying again,' the Air Force explained. 'The cracks were not found on any flight surfaces or hinges, but rather on the primary or secondary structures,' the Air Force told us. Boeing told us it is working to fix the problem. 'We are working closely with the customer to assess a potential issue on KC-46A aircraft and to mitigate any potential impact to the fleet and in-production airplanes,' the company told The War Zone after our inquiry about the cracks. The Pegasus program has been beset by problems even before they were delivered. It was years behind schedule before the flying branch received its first KC-46A in January 2019. As we previously reported, efforts are still ongoing to fix long-standing and serious problems with not only the KC-46's boom but also the Remote Vision System that boom operators use to guide it into receiving aircraft. These are just two of the many issues that have impacted the program. Boeing is currently under contract to address issues with stiffness in the boom on the KC-46, a fix that involves hardware and software changes. As for the Remote Vision System, or RVS, the contractor is integrating an entirely new version of this into the tanker. The decision was taken after multiple problems with the original RVS, which was found to be potentially dangerous to use as well as potentially risking making boom operators physically ill. A scathing Fiscal Year 2024 DOTE report found that the KC-46A was 'not meeting many of its suitability metrics.' 'The operational availability (≥80percent threshold) and mission capable rate (≥90 percent threshold) slightly decreased throughout FY24, well below their threshold requirements,' the report found. Moreover, when accounting for partially mission-capable aircraft that are unable to perform their primary [aerial refueling] mission (e.g., due to a broken boom), the effective mission-capable rate falls an additional 24 percent on average. The program continues to suffer from prolonged maintenance repair times due to supply issues with parts needed for repair.' In March 2024, 'the KC-46A program experienced a two-month delay in delivering new aircraft due to the discovery of a broken part associated with the boom,' the report continued. 'Inspections of aircraft off the production line found a broken gimbal nut lockwire, a part important for the directional movement of the refueling boom.' All these problems have cost Boeing a lot of money. In January, the 'company revealed fourth quarter charges include a $800 million loss on Pegasus, reflecting what the company said were higher-than-estimated manufacturing costs,' Breaking Defense reported at the time. Boeing 'attributed part of that loss to the September strike of its Seattle-area machinist union, which resulted in a seven week production halt on jetliners such as twin-aisled 767 from which the KC-46 is derived,' Breaking Defense added. The company has lost billions on the KC-46 fixed price contract since its execution. This is yet another blow to a program created to replace the aging fleet of KC-135 tankers, which first flew during the Eisenhower administration in the late 1950s. In addition, the last of the KC-10 Extender refuelers was retired last September. We will keep an eye on this issue and provide updates when warranted. Contact the author: howard@
