The KC-46A was refueled for the first time by a KC-10 flying over Washington State, as part of the aircraft’s Milestone C process, according to Boeing. The capability “increases the aircraft’s operational flexibility,” the company posted on Twitter. The Feb. 13 flight is another first for the next generation aerial tanker, which just three days prior used its hose and drogue system to refuel an aircraft in flight. The KC-46 also in January performed its first aerial refueling, passing 1,600 pounds of fuel to an F-16C during a test flight from Edwards AFB, Calif. The company plans to build 179 KC-46s for the Air Force, to replace the service’s aging tanker fleet.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…