Contracted Tanker Business Sector - Another KC-46A
Post# of 2306
Fuel is leaking from Boeing KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refueling tankers.
First discovered in July 2019 - recently upgraded to a Category 1 deficiency.
The Air Force and Boeing are working together to determine the root cause and implement corrective actions.
The KC-46 Program Office continues to monitor the entire KC-46 fleet and is enhancing acceptance testing of the fuel system to identify potential leaks at the factory where they can be repaired prior to delivery.
Boeing is contractually obligated to remedy this deficiency at no additional cost to the government.
Production of KC-46A aircraft is paused until 8 April because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is not clear how that would impact potential fixes.
At least “several” KC-46A aircraft require repair.
The KC-46 fuel system is equipped with redundant protection for fuel containment . In some cases with this issue, aircraft maintenance crews are finding fuel between the primary and secondary fuel protection barriers within the system.
The KC-46A has been plagued with problems including several Category 1 deficiencies. Category 1 deficiencies are defined by the USAF as issues “which may cause death or severe injury; may cause loss or major damage to a weapon system; critically restricts the combat readiness capabilities of the using organisation; or results in a production line stoppage”.
The tanker has two other open Category 1 deficiencies: the remote vision system and refueling boom.
Delays to the KC-46A’s entry into service, combined with a growing need for tankers, has forced the USAF to go looking for alternatives.
USAF is actively soliciting private companies to provide it with up to 5,000 hours of annual in-flight refueling services.
https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/fuel-...24.article
Solicitation known to be June 2020 [from USAF brief March 2020].
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