The second KC-46A completed its first flight on March 2, taking off from Paine Field, Wash., and landing near Seattle. “Adding a second tanker to the flight test program is very important as we move into the next phase of testing,” said Col. John Newberry, USAF KC-46 system program manager, in a Boeing release. The second KC-46A initially will be used to test mission system avionics and exterior lighting, said Newberry, but it will eventually “share the air refueling effort with the first KC-46,” which already has demonstrated it can refuel a Navy F/A-18C and a USAF F-16C. Overall, the KC-46 must demonstrate it can refuel 18 different aircraft, states the release. EMD-1, a 767-2C test aircraft, which completed its first flight in December 2014, has flown more than 260 flight test hours as of March 3. The program’s first KC-46A tanker has completed more than 180 flight test hours since its maiden flight in September 2015. Boeing expects the second 767-2C to begin flight testing later this year, states the release.
The People’s Republic of China emphasized operational and near-operational fifth-generation aircraft in its massive Sept. 2 military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan in World War II. Also trucked through Tiananmen Square were a number of uncrewed aircraft, many of which bear a striking resemblance to U.S.…
