Boeing-built KC-46A Pegasus multi-role aerial refueling tanker has been approved to refuel all F-15 and F-16 fighter jets.
The Commander of the Air Mobility Command, General Mike Minihan, approved the third Temporary Capability Release (ICR) mission for the KC-46A Pegasus on October 13. The ICR decided to allow the KC-46 to refuel the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets in the air.
"The KC-46 can now support 62 percent of all receiving aircraft that require air refueling support from U.S. Transportation Command," said Gen Ryan Samuelson, deputy director of strategy, programs, requirements, and programs at AMC and head of the KC-46 cross-functional team. "This advance accelerates the critical projection and connection operational requirements that the tanker brings to the joint force, even before it is fully operational."
Despite its limitations and flaws, the KC-46 continues to demonstrate its growing combat capabilities. Since January 2019, the tanker has completed more than 6,000 missions, unloaded more than 35 million pounds of fuel, and performed 26,000 rear boom and 1,500 cone sleeve refueling operations.
On July 9, ICR's first decision approved the KC-46A Pegasus to refuel the aircraft using its centerline cone sleeve system. The second ICR decision, made on August 5, approved the KC-46 to refuel the B-52 Stratofortress, C-17 Globemaster III, and other KC-46 aircraft using their booms.
The overall ICR program has no associated timeline and instead focuses on incremental confidence-building measures that enable AMC commanders and other senior leaders to conduct qualitative and quantitative assessments of achievements in ICR milestones. The crew will continue with flight training, exercises and demonstration missions until all operational measures are met.