KC 46 e KC 767 AMI quali problemi?

[TT-1 Pinto]

Riusciranno finalmente i nostri eroi a venir fuori dal ginepraio in cui si sono cacciati ?

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The Air Force is finished evaluating the proposed “interim” fix for the KC-46’s troubled remote vision system, and is moving toward finalizing the design of the “2.0” overhaul of the system.
The service and Boeing agreed in April, on the way ahead for the RVS—the system of cameras and sensors linking the operator inside the front of the tanker with the refueling boom system in the back - after design flaws had plagued KC-46 development and testing. 
The “2.0” proposal includes a hardware overhaul of the system, as well as the addition of new cameras, displays, laser rangers, and other components. 
In the short-term, however, Boeing proposed a “1.5” interim fix largely focused on software tweaks to improve the quality of the image the boom operator sees.

… airforcemag.com … USAF, Boeing Finalizing Overhaul Design of Troubled RVS System …

[TT-1 Pinto]

Boeing ha consegnato, nel corso del 2020, 14 KC-46A ...

... boeing.mediaroom.com ... https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2021-01-12-Boeing-Announces-Fourth-Quarter-Deliveries ...

Nel frattempo ... ha ottenuto dall'USAF un contratto per 12 nuovi esemplari ...

... boeing.mediaroom.com ... https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130805 ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Nuovo contratto per 15 KC-46A ... a pochi giorni dal precedente ...

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/boeing-receives-2-1-billion-for-the-next-kc-46-production-lot/ ...

Anche qui ... boeing.mediaroom.com ... https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130812 ...

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Sforaménto ... 

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Boeing on Jan. 27 reported another $275 million charge to its KC-46 program, pushing the total cost overruns it is responsible for to more than $5 billion in the past six years - more than the initial contract award for the tanker.
The fourth quarter total means 2020 saw more than $1.3 billion in overruns for the program, a cost the company said in its earnings report was “primarily due to production inefficiencies, including impacts of COVID-19 disruption.” 
The 2020 total is more than any previous year, according to a review of the company’s prior year earnings reports.
Because of the nature of the contract, the company is responsible for all costs above the $4.9 billion award.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/boeings-kc-46-cost-overruns-surpass-5-billion/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

KC-46A ... un paio di problemi sono stati risolti ... per gli altri ci vorrà tempo ...

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The Air Force recently resolved two Category 1 deficiencies on the troubled KC-46 tanker, both problems with the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit that could impact the safety of flight. However, the four remaining issues are still years away from being solved.
The KC-46’s APU, located in its tail, developed two serious problems, one with a duct clamp that was moving excessively and another with a drain mast on the outside of the tail that could potentially break loose. 
As of the end of January, both problems have been addressed, with one closed and the other downgraded to a Category 2, or less serious, deficiency, AMC boss Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost told reporters Feb. 1.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/usaf-downgrades-two-kc-46-category-1-deficiencies/ ...

Anche qui ... defensenews.com ... https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/02/01/the-air-force-has-a-fix-for-two-of-its-major-kc-46-problems/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Primo volo per il KC-46A giapponese ...

… ainonline.com … https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2021-02-09/first-flight-japanese-kc-46a-pegasus ...
Anche qui ... boeing.mediaroom.com ... https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130825 ...

 & 

 

Modificato 10 Febbraio 2021 da TT-1 Pinto
***

[TT-1 Pinto]

Nel frattempo ... proseguono le consegne all'USAF ...

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The 157th Air Refueling Wing on Feb. 5 filled up its KC-46 hangars, receiving its 12th and final Pegasus as Boeing delivered the 44th tanker to the Air Force.
A crew from the wing at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., flew the tanker home from Boeing Field in Seattle. 
The base received its first KC-46 in August 2019, after divesting its last KC-135 in March the same year.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/boeing-delivers-44th-kc-46-completing-beddown-of-the-new-tankers-at-pease/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

“That’s one small step for man. One giant leap for Air Mobility Command ...”

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U.S. Transportation Command is looking to integrate the KC-46 into operations as soon as June, following Air Mobility Command’s move to free up the troubled tanker for ops to relieve stress on legacy refuelers.
TRANSCOM boss Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons recently visited KC-46 officials at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and said he is “encouraged by recent (Air Force) efforts that will make the KC-46 available for limited mission requirements as soon as June,” the command said in a Twitter statement.
The statement is an update from Air Mobility Command’s announcement Feb. 24 that it would clear the KC-46 to be tasked by TRANSCOM this year.

… airforcemag.com … https://www.airforcemag.com/kc-46s-could-be-available-for-limited-ops-as-early-as-june/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Si erano voltati dall'altra parte ... 

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The Air Force didn’t effectively oversee the development of the KC-46’s refueling boom, leading to additional delays, costs and a lingering deficiency on the system that prevents the tanker from refueling some USAF aircraft, according to a new Pentagon watchdog report.
The Defense Department Inspector General, in a report released May 27, said the Air Force’s KC-46 Program Office didn’t effectively manage the development of the refueling boom, specifically following a redesign of the system in 2012. 
That year, Boeing presented a system design during the preliminary design review that “differed significantly” from the initial design from the 2011 contract award.
Despite the new design, the Air Force did not “ensure that critical technologies for the refueling boom were demonstrated in a relevant testing environment,” and it “did not verify full functionality” of the boom in accordance with the program’s own plan when they performed flight tests, the IG found.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/kc-46-boom-oversight-development-report/ ...

Anche qui ... defensenews.com ... https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/05/27/dod-inspector-general-air-force-mismanagement-led-to-10m-kc-46-boom-redesign/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Altro che telenovela ... 

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A feature in the advanced refueling system of the KC-46, designed to improve safety and ease the burden on boom operators, is not working as designed due to a software flaw, so the Air Force implemented its own workaround as the service and Boeing wait for more pressing issues to be solved first.
The issue is with the aircraft’s Aerial Refueling Software, which has preset limits for individual receivers to control the boom’s independent disconnect system. 
Simply put, the system automatically selects the left/right and up/down limits for the boom to stay connected to an individual receiver, and if the movement exceeds the envelope of that aircraft, the boom automatically breaks away to avoid damage.
However, the presets in the system are not accurate for each receiver, so boom operators, before each connection, have to override the automatic preset limits and input correct ones. 
The problem was a Category II deficiency on the KC-46 before the workaround was implemented.
“The Air Force is aware of the KC-46 receiver preset issue,” Air Mobility Command said in a statement to Air Force Magazine.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/kc-46-boom-operators-work-around-software-flaw/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

L'Air Force è alla ricerca di un'aviocisterna che faccia da "ponte" fra il KC-46 e il successore "Advanced Air Refueling Tanker" (già “KC-Z”) ...

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The Air Force is seeking options for a “bridge tanker” to fill the gap in tanker capacity anticipated between the end of KC-46 production and development of a future refueler.
USAF’s Life Cycle Management Center on June 16 issued a Sources Sought Announcement, seeking qualified, interested companies to provide a commercial derivative aircraft “based on existing and emerging” technologies. 
While specific requirements are not fully defined, the Air Force said the tanker can be crewed or uncrewed and does not need to be a low-observable aircraft.
The Air Force will release a final request for proposals by the end of 2022 once requirements are locked in.
“The KC-135 will be 70 years old when the Air Force expects to receive its last KC-46 delivery in 2029, and replacing these vital aircraft continues to be critical to the Air Force mission to project Rapid Global Mobility in today’s strategically competitive environment,” the Air Force said in a release.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/usaf-reaches-out-to-industry-for-bridge-tanker/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Ora stanno dicendo che un paio di problemi, non rivelati in precedenza, sono in via di risoluzione ...

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The Air Force and Boeing are addressing two previously unannounced Category I deficiencies on the KC-46. 
The issues, affecting the aircraft’s receptacle drain line tubes and Flight Management Instability, will be fixed at Boeing’s expense.
“There are no operational restrictions on fielded KC-46s due to either of these deficiencies, nor do they affect [Air Mobility Command’s] plan for KC-46 Interim Capability Release,” said USAF spokesman Capt. Joshua D. Benedetti in a statement. 
“The [System Program Office] and Boeing have established operational processes and maintenance procedures to mitigate impacts and ensure the issues do not add extra risk to personnel, aircraft or operations.”
The air refueling receptacle drain line developed cracks in low-temperature conditions, according to the Air Force, and Boeing is redesigning the drain tube to address the issue.
The aircraft have also suffered isolated incidents of Flight Management System instability during operations. 
Boeing and subcontractor GE Aviation identified the need for a long-term software fix, and for the short term, Boeing is developing updated procedures to ensure the system’s stability in flight. 
The issue came up recently in a March 3 flight over the Pacific, causing the crew to use other navigation systems to safely land in Hawaii ...

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/usaf-boeing-resolve-two-more-kc-46-deficiencies/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

"2nd Air Refueling Squadron" ... addio, KC-10 ... benvenuto, KC-46 ... 

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A KC-10 Extender took off into the dark and rainy New Jersey sky after a short weather delay to link up with F-22s flying over the Atlantic Ocean, marking the end of an era for its unit.
The June 30 flight for the massive tanker from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron was a historic one for the Air Force’s second-oldest squadron. 
It was the last time a KC-10 assigned to the 2nd ARS would fly. 
The 305th Mobility Wing already has sent five of the tankers to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., as it prepares for the KC-46’s arrival in November.
The remaining Extenders from the 2nd ARS have shifted to the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron within the 305th Air Mobility Wing, which will become a “super” squadron until the last KC-10s at McGuire are retired in 2024. 
The base will bring on 24 KC-46s, and McGuire had 32 KC-10s before retirements began.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/mcguire-squadron-says-goodbye-to-kc-10-prepares-for-kc-46/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Avanti a piccoli passi ...

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Air Mobility Command on July 9 officially opened up the KC-46 to some limited operations, clearing the Pegasus to use its centerline drogue.
The move is an official green light to conduct missions the Pegasus has been doing for months - using its secondary refueling system to pass fuel to aircraft such as Navy F/A-18s. 
The tanker is still years away from reaching initial operational capability as the Air Force and Boeing work to overhaul the aircraft’s problematic Remote Vision System and refueling boom.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/amc-officially-clears-kc-46-for-centerline-drogue-operations/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Rifornite pure ... ma con giudizio ...

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Air Mobility Command on Aug. 6 announced it is freeing up the KC-46 for more operations, allowing the tanker to refuel C-17s, B-52s, and other KC-46s in some circumstances.
It is the second “interim capability release” for the troubled tanker. 
AMC last month cleared it to refuel aircraft with its centerline drogue. 
In February, AMC said allowing KC-46s to pick up some of the tanker load in non-combat tasks can free up legacy KC-135s and KC-10s to fill more of those responsibilities.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/amc-frees-up-kc-46-for-more-refueling-operations/ ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

Quando si dice ... "reciprocità" ...

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The first Boeing KC-46A tanker built for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) recently refueled another KC-46A aircraft in the skies over Washington state. 
The Japan-bound tanker also successfully received fuel in return.
“Refueling with the first Japan KC-46A is an important milestone for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force,” said Jamie Burgess, KC-46 program manager. 
“KC-46A is the world’s most advanced air refueling aircraft and has already transferred more than 42 million gallons of fuel to other aircraft globally through its boom and drogue systems.”
Japan is the KC-46 program’s first non-U.S. customer and is scheduled to receive its first aircraft this year.

... boeing.mediaroom.com ... https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130904 ...

 & 

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

I KC-135 e i KC-10 sono impegnati altrove ... subentrano i KC-46 ...

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With KC-135s and KC-10s surging forward to help with the ongoing airlift out of Afghanistan, KC-46s are picking up some slack back home with the new tanker’s first operational taskings under Air Mobility Command’s plan to have the Pegasus start flying limited operations.
KC-46s have flown three missions tasked by AMC’s Tanker and Airlift Control Center. 
During the first on Aug. 11, a KC-46 from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., refueled F/A-18s using the tanker’s centerline drogue system. 
The Super Hornets were from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 at Fort Worth, Texas ...

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/kc-46s-first-operational-missions-legacy-tankers-support-kabul/ ...

[Scagnetti]

Ciao a tutti

Nel Documento Programmatico Pluriennale della Difesa 2021-2023, tra le altre cosette interessanti, tra i programmi di previsto avvio, la novità che mi ha colpito di più: 

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Programma pluriennale di mantenimento della capacità nazionale AAR in seno alla NATO, mediante il completamento della flotta tanker con l’acquisizione di due assetti aggiornati all'ultima versione, relativo SLI e l'ammodernamento dei restanti velivoli al paritetico standard USAF...

2 tanker in più, Speriamo che l'aggiornamento della flotta all'ultimo standard non comporti la declassazione al ruolo di ciofeca aerea dei KC-767, che per quanto ne sappiamo sembra si comportino molto meglio dei KC-46 

A pagina 93/103 di: https://www.difesa.it/Content/Documents/20210804 DPP 2021-2023 -ult.pdf

Modificato 28 Agosto 2021 da Scagnetti

[TT-1 Pinto]

Il punto è ... quali nuovi velivoli verranno effettivamente acquistati?
Due ulteriori KC-767A aggiornati (sempre ammesso che Boeing sia interessata a produrli solo per noi), con relativo aggiornamento dei primi quattro, o, addirittura, due KC-46A?
Non mi sembra che il testo della Difesa sia molto chiaro.
O, probabilmente, sono io che non riesco ad afferrarne il senso ...

 
 

[cama81]

su un altro forum un uff.le in SPE, non sapeva -o poteva-  rispondere circa i due nuovi aerei  , se si trattava di 767 civili riconfigurati o di KC-46

tuttavia , per quanto riguardava i 767 già in forza , diceva che l'intenzione e quella di  riconfigurarli con i nuovi sottosistemi adottati dal KC-46 per garantire la maggiore interoperabilità ( computer di bordo , APU, navigazione, communicazioni)

personalmente   incrocerei le dita, visto che quello che dà grattacapi sui tankrer usaf  sono proprio i sotto sistemi e non l'aereo in sé.

Modificato 29 Agosto 2021 da cama81

[TT-1 Pinto]

Si torna a parlare dell'aviocisterna "ponte" e, sorpresa, entra in campo Lockheed Martin che si allea, di fatto, con Airbus ...

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Lockheed Martin on Friday unveiled the LMXT aerial refueling tanker, which will go head-to-head with Boeing’s incumbent KC-46 in the U.S. Air Force’s upcoming bridge tanker competition.
The LMXT is a variant of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, modified specifically for U.S. Air Force operators. 
Changes include an upgraded suite of communications for joint all-domain command and control as well as improvements to range and fuel-offload capability.
“Lockheed Martin has a long and successful track record of producing aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, and we understand the critical role tankers play in ensuring America’s total mission success,” said Greg Ulmer, who leads Lockheed’s aeronautics business. 
“The LMXT combines proven performance and operator-specific capabilities to meet the Air Force’s refueling requirements in support of America’s National Defense Strategy.”

... defensenews.com ... https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/afa-air-space/2021/09/17/lockheed-reveals-new-lmxt-refueling-tanker-firing-the-opening-salvo-in-us-air-force-competition/

Anche qui ... lockheedmartin.com ... https://lockheedmartin.com/lmxt ...

Si tratterà ora di vedere se questa "strana" alleanza riceverà la benedizione del Governo di Parigi che, nel frattempo, ha richiamato il suo ambasciatore dagli Stati Uniti sulla scia delle roventi polemiche provocate dall'accordo AUKUS ...

[TT-1 Pinto]

KC-Y ... altre informazioni da AINonline ...

... https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2021-09-17/lockheed-martin-unveils-kc-y-tanker-contender ...

 &  

[TT-1 Pinto]

KC-Y “bridge” tanker ... ulteriori informazioni da AIR FORCE MAGAZINE ...

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Officially launching its bid to supply the Air Force’s KC-Y “bridge” tanker, Lockheed Martin said its solution would offer the service longer range and persistence than current tankers by virtue of the aircraft’s larger size. 
To sweeten the deal, if Lockheed Martin wins the KC-Y contest, Airbus will build A330 airliners, on which the LMXT is based, in the U.S. at the same location.

 ... https://www.airforcemag.com/lockheed-lmxt-bridge-tanker-range-refueling-gear/ ...

Andrà a finire che, tanto per placare l'ira "funesta" dei Francesi per il caso “AUKUS”, gli Americani concederanno loro un contentino facendoli vincere nella competizione per l'aviocisterna "ponte" ...

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Si amplia la gamma dei velivoli che ora possono essere riforniti in volo per mezzo della sonda rigida ...

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Air Force F-15s and F-16s are now cleared to refuel from new KC-46A tankers using the air-to-air refueling boom, the head of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Mike Minihan, directed Oct. 15. 
The move means 62 percent of aircraft that “request air refueling support” from U.S. Transportation Command can now be accommodated using the Pegasus tanker, AMC said.
The order is the third “interim capability release” since July clearing aircraft to refuel from the KC-46, which is operationally restricted due to boom operator display problems. 
The Air Force had been using the aircraft in a transport role before Air Mobility Command issued recent ICRs approving tanking operations for some airplanes.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/amc-green-lights-kc-46-to-refuel-f-15s-f-16s-62-percent-of-receivers-now-cleared/ ...

 

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

I KC-46A dell'USAF hanno effettuato la prima missione "Coronet" per il rifornimento in volo degli F-16 ...

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Just days after Air Mobility Command cleared the KC-46 to start refueling Air Force F-15s and F-16s, a tanker from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing completed the Pegasus’ first Tanker Airlift Control Center-tasked F-16 Coronet.
Coronets are missions in which a group of fighters are assigned one or multiple tankers to fly with them over an ocean to ensure the smaller aircraft have enough fuel.
The KC-46A from the 344th Air Refueling Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., flew to Naval Station Rota, Spain, where it linked up with F-16s from the D.C. Air National Guard’s 121st Fighter Squadron.
The tanker then flew with the fighters, which were returning from a deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, across the Atlantic to their home station of Joint Base Andrews, Md.
The Oct. 16-17 mission followed closely on the Oct. 13 “interim capability release” issued by AMC that allowed KC-46s to refuel all variants of the F-15 and F-16 using the air-to-air refueling boom. 
It was the third such release, after AMC first cleared the tanker to use its centerline drogue, then permitted it to use its boom to refuel C-17s, B-52s, and other KC-46s in some circumstances.

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/kc-46-completes-first-f-16-coronet-after-interim-capability-release/ ...