Fourth And Final Aircraft Joins Flight Test Program

With a successful first flight on April 25th, Boeing has added the fourth and final flight test aircraft to the KC-46 Pegasus fleet, a 767-2C.

During the 1 hour, 40 minute flight, test pilots performed operational engine checks, flight controls and environmental systems checks and took the 767-2C to a maximum altitude of 39,000 feet prior to landing at Boeing Field, south of Seattle.

The 767-2C is a KC-46 without the aerial refueling system installed. This aircraft, known as EMD-3, will be used to conduct environmental control system testing, including hot day/cold day testing and smoke penetration testing.

As part of the contract awarded in 2011 to design and develop the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation tanker, Boeing has built four test aircraft – two are configured as 767-2Cs and two as KC-46 tankers. Eventually, both 767-2Cs will become KC-46 tankers.

EMD-1, the first 767-2C test aircraft, has completed more than 315 flight test hours since its first flight in December 2014. EMD-2, the program’s first KC-46 tanker, made its maiden flight in September 2015 and has completed more than 240 flight test hours, including refueling F-16, F/A-18 and AV-8B aircraft. It also has been refueled by a KC-10 tanker. EMD-4, the second tanker, first flew on March 2, 2016 and has completed 25 flight hours.

Boeing plans to build 179 KC-46 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.

(Image provided with Boeing news release)

FMI: www.boeing.com