The Air Force will stand up its only KC-46A Formal Training Unit at Altus AFB, Okla., two weeks after saying the aircraft is ready for production. Altus on Aug. 30 will stand up the training unit in a new complex that includes the world’s largest tail enclosure and the first complex focused on training on the Pegasus, according to an Altus announcement. The Pentagon on Aug. 12 approved the KC-46 for production, with the first low-rate initial production lot of 19 aircraft and spare parts selling for a pre-negotiated $2.8 billion within the next 30 days.
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.