1 of 2 | The U.S. Air Force on Tuesday took delivery of its 99th and 100th KC-46A Pegasus aerial-refueling aircraft, similar to this one pictured at Edwards Air Force Base in 2017. File Photo by Christopher Okula/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 4 (UPI) — The U.S. Air Force took delivery of its 99th and 100th KC-46A Pegasus air-refueling tankers at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., on Tuesday.
The Pegasus is capable of single- and multi-point aerial refueling of military aircraft, such as the B2 Spirit bombers that targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22.
“Today marks not just the arrival of the 100th KC-46 delivered, but the continued strengthening of our nation’s global reach and readiness,” Gen. John Lamontagne, leader of the USAF Air Mobility Command, said on Thursday.
“The Pegasus represents a key chapter in air mobility, one built on innovation and unwavering commitment to the mission,” Lamontagne added.
The Boeing-built KC-46A is powered by two Pratt & Whitney 4062 jet engines that produce up to 62,000 pounds of thrust and enable it to fly at a maximum speed of 650 mph and a cruising speed of 530 mph.
It has a wingspan of 156 feet, 1 inch, and a length of 159 feet, 2 inches and a maximum takeoff weight of 415,000 pounds.
It holds up to 212,299 pounds of aviation fuel and can carry a maximum cargo of 65,000 pounds, carries up to 58 passengers and has 18 pallet positions.
“Every KC-46A we deliver has a unique story on its path to joining the operational fleet,” said Col. David Hall, KC-46 program manager for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
“Many hands are ultimately responsible for this and every delivery,” Hall said. “This occasion is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all those who have contributed to the KC-46 enterprise as we modernize the Air Force’s aerial-refueling capabilities.”
The Pegasus is equipped with air-defense and self-protection features for survivability.
It also is designed for versatility and can be used to carry passengers, cargo and as an air ambulance, in addition to mid-air refueling of other aircraft.
The KC-36A first was deployed in 2019 and gained certification to support 97% of joint-force air-refueling missions in 2022.
It also can refuel military aircraft used by NATO allies and can fly with only two crew members operating it.
The Air Force tested its long-range capability in 2024, when it completed a 45-hour endurance mission over three days, and since has extended its range.
