According to reports, the Air Force and Boeing were aware since 2018 that the KC-46 Pegasus could develop issues in the aileron hinges.
The Air Force paused deliveries of the KC-46A Pegasus air tanker after it discovered structural flaws in two undelivered aircraft.
Air Force officials discovered cracks on two air tankers that were waiting to be delivered, forcing the service to halt all deliveries from Boeing—marking only the latest embarrassment for the long-suffering airplane manufacturer.
The KC-46A Pegasus Put on Hold
The Air Force decided to freeze deliveries of its main air tanker after it discovered cracks on the aileron hinges of two aircraft that were set to be delivered to the service.
“The damage does not pose a safety-of-flight concern; however, identified cracks must be repaired before returning an aircraft to service,” a Boeing spokesperson said about the issue that is plaguing the KC-46 Pegasus. “Boeing, the Program Office, and Air Mobility Command are working to quickly identify the root cause and develop both a near and long-term way ahead.” The statement indicated that the two aircraft in question had not been delivered to the Air Force, but they were next in line for delivery.
The KC-46A can carry more than 210,000 lbs of fuel, and is compatible with almost all of the aircraft in service with the U.S. military.
“We are working closely with the customer to assess a potential issue on KC-46 aircraft and to mitigate any potential impact to the fleet and in-production airplanes,” a Boeing spokesperson said in a statement.
According to other reports, the Air Force and Boeing were aware since 2018 that the KC-46 Pegasus could develop issues in the aileron hinges. They learned of this because the Boeing 767, the commercial aircraft that the KC-46 is based on, has developed similar issues during its service in civilian airliner fleets over time.
Today, the Air Force operates 89 KC-46 Pegasus, and Japan operates four. Israel has also ordered an additional four for its own air force.
The KC-46A Is An Invaluable Asset—When It Works
Naturally, air tankers are not as popular as fighter jets or strategic bombers. The latter are the “sexy” aircraft, shooting down enemy aircraft or sending thousands of pounds of munitions down on America’s enemies. But air tankers play an important part in the U.S. military’s incredible air power. The Indo-Pacific area is a perfect example of why the tankers are necessary; the vast distances in the region mean that aerial refueling is needed to support dozens of combat aircraft in their missions.
An Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighter or a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet are each limited by the amount of fuel that they can carry. Although external tanks can go a long way in increasing a fighter jet’s operational range, the moment an aircraft enters into combat, the pilot drops the tanks in order to gain maneuverability.
Enter the air tanker. Combat aircraft can fly to the rear, refuel, and get back into the fight when there is an air tanker in the area. If there was not, they would have to return to base. With air tankers in support in the rear, fighter jets are only limited by the munitions they carry. Only when they have run out of ammunition do they have to return to base.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock / Thiago Trevisan.
