Jim Eisenhart

Today’s refueling tankers look and perform quite differently than the tankers of the past. Modern tankers not only take advantage of the latest innovations in technology and combat capability, but also perform a variety of roles in addition to aerial refuelling.

At the top of the list is Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus tanker. The KC-46 is ushering in a new era of efficient combat aerial refuelling. With the US Air Force (USAF) on the verge of receiving its first tanker aircraft and Japan announcing the programme’s first international customer, other countries are taking a closer look at the KC-46’s unique capabilities and the benefits of adding a more capable and versatile tanker to their fleets.

The USAF is very excited about the KC-46 and the benefits it will bring to the fleet - it will be an outstanding aircraft for decades to come. Highly reliable and efficient, the wide-body, multi-role tanker can refuel all the US, allied and coalition military aircraft any time, on any mission. It can also carry passengers, cargo and patients whenever and wherever needed. With unmatched operational flexibility, the KC-46A is a mobility ‘game changer’.

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