The KC-46A program’s first test aircraft arrived at Edwards AFB, Calif., Oct. 15, for two weeks of specialized trials, officials announced. The provisioned 767-2C, EMD-1, will undertake ground-effect characterization and fatigue testing in the fuel-receiver role. “For ground effects, Edwards … provides calm morning weather and long runways, including the lake beds, both are requirements to take the data,” Capt. Dylan Neidorff, KC-46 test operations engineer, said in a release. “For fuel on-load fatigue, Edwards has a top notch special instrumentation section [that] provides modifications to legacy tanker aircraft to support data collection on the 767-2C,” he added. Ground effect flights will aid in accurately replicating the KC-46’s characteristics in the flight simulator. For fueling checks, the aircraft’s durability will be put to the test receiving from both the KC-10 and KC-135. The first phase of developmental testing is largely conducted from Boeing’s production facilities in Washington, but will move to Edwards in 2016. The fully equipped KC-46A tanker flew for the first time in September, and extended its boom for the first time in flight earlier this month.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.