American KC-46 Pegasus faced misalignment during testing

The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, which the US Air Force hopes will soon become their main tanker, ran into a fourth serious problem ahead of adoption.

New troubles were encountered during the tests of the KC-46. In September, it was revealed that the fasteners that prevent slipping inside the cabin of cargo pallets are randomly unlocked, which leads to their expansion in the hold.

As explained in this connection by the Air Force, this problem is currently being resolved, it will take "about months". The indicated drawback, leading to the free movement of cargo, not only poses a danger to people inside, but also violates the alignment of the aircraft, which can lead to the most negative consequences for the car and crew.

The KC-46 was developed to replace the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender. Like its predecessors, it was created on the basis of the Boeing-767 civilian airliner. Pegasus is equipped with a modular cargo design based on push-in pallets. It allows you to carry both passengers and various types of cargo, including jet fuel.

The US Air Force plans to acquire 179 Pegasus aircraft, Israel intends to purchase eight more, and Japan - at least two.

Comments

[Sandor Clegane]

we’ll see how quickly they solve the problem, or they disguise it and will sell it like F-35 to everyone, they are Yankees

[bouncyhunter]

New technology always has childhood illnesses. Another point is that you need to get rid of them before launching into series (for that and testing), and not during operation ...

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: bouncyhunter

New technology always has "childhood illnesses" ..

This is a little strange, the elder brother of KS-46 aka B767 tanker / transport is quite successfully operated in Italy. It’s even interesting that they made a lot of new things in -46th.

[bouncyhunter]

Hello !

Quote: Pete Mitchell

It’s even interesting that they made a lot of new things in -46th.

They will adopt it - it will be clear. Or maybe a simple budget cut?

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: bouncyhunter

They will adopt it - it will be clear. Or maybe a simple budget cut?

Dear, you still want to say that boeing can do a lot of things? Due to circumstances, looking after the misadventures of 737MAX: they have already discredited themselves so much - the FBI will figure it out

[bouncyhunter]

Quote: Pete Mitchell

Dear, you still want to say that boeing can do a lot of things?

That's right, Tramp. The story of the 737MAX specifically tarnished the reputation. And having burned yourself in milk - you blow water all your life.

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: bouncyhunter

The story with 737MAX specifically tarnished reputation

The FBI will figure out how to certify it. And boeing will have to deal with soaked reputation.

[voyaka uh]

"It's even interesting what new things they have done in -46." ////
----
Universality of application. He is conceived to work as a tanker and a transporter. Because of this problem. Fuel tanks and containers with cargo should be fixed in universal pallets in the fuselage. And withstand the sharp maneuvers of the aircraft.

[Pete mitchell]

Read carefully

Quote: Pete Mitchell

the elder brother of KS-46 aka V767 tanker / transport is quite successfully operated in Italy

[voyaka uh]

"the tanker / transport is quite successfully operated in the same Italy" ////
____

Then I don’t know. But Israel urgently needs these Pegasus. And, anyway, we will redo these internals. Therefore, the delay is unpleasant.

[bessmertniy]

It’s hard to imagine so many tankers in the USA. Do they really have so many planes that need to be refueled in the air !?

[Pete mitchell]

For many reasons, Americans have always paid attention to the possibility of refueling in the air: in principle, almost all aircraft and some helicopters have the ability to refuel in the air. One slippery moment: usaf on the one hand and usn / marines on the other use different refueling methods and, accordingly, refuelers are imprisoned for both methods. Except KS-160, this one is only for sailors and helicopters

[Elephant]

Quote: bessmertniy

It’s hard to imagine so many tankers in the USA. Do they really have so many planes that need to be refueled in the air !?

But the article also says that this board is also created for the transfer of various cargo and l / s.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: bessmertniy

It’s hard to imagine so many tankers in the USA. Do they really have so many planes that need to be refueled in the air !?

First, they need refuellers to ensure the deployment and combat operation of bombers and missile carriers of the NAC in which case.
Secondly, refuellers are required to enable the rapid buildup of tactical aviation groupings anywhere in the world (where there are airbases) - so that you can transfer another one to your borders within 2-3 days goals for democratization a couple of air wings, without bothering with obtaining permits for overflight or landing with refueling from countries along the route. And then even in the blessed times of the Cold War, there were incidents - such as the refusal of Spain and France to let American F-111s during the "Canyon of Eldorado".
Third, refueling tanks are needed by BTA - for global transfers in the case of the same rapid buildup of groupings next to goals for democratization.

[Alexander Petrov1]

Alignment, somewhere I heard, but just like their best friends have sixes on an experienced military transport An-178 ...

[OlezhkaKravchenko]

Americans don’t thank God, only problems last forever, how did they get together to fight with us?

[Voyager]

You might think we are all hurt

[Dmitry Bolotsky]

Something often started to have problems with alignment on new aircraft. One gets the impression that modern designers have given too much "to the mercy" of computer programs. And they, as you know, do not have any sense, no intuition, no talent. So it turns out that the aircraft operators sit at the controls, and in the design bureaus - the operators of design programs. And modern managers are none other than MBA operators. A template is needed, of course, but not in new products.

[Pete mitchell]

There seems to be a primary problem with securing cargo, which is even more strange.

[NN52]

Tramp
Can you tell them about the "counter"? thicker? :-))

[Genry]

Quote: Dmitry Bolotsky

Something often began to arise problems with centering on new aircraft.

If you read the article, and not just the headline, then the problem is not with the centering of the aircraft, but with cargo securing. For example, when taking off, the cargo will slide into the tail and that’s all ....

[askort154]

The indicated drawback, leading to the free movement of cargo, not only poses a danger to people inside, but also violates the alignment of the aircraft, which can lead to the most negative consequences for the car and crew.

It happens. In the 60s, shift workers worked at a drilling rig near Khanty-Mansiysk. They were replaced by An-2, which flew to the prepared site. For their export, it was necessary to make two flights. One "commander-ass" decided to take out the brigade in one voyage, which is twice as much. So instead of 15 people, he "loaded" 33 people who stood standing tightly pressed against each other. in the front of the cabin. Truly, like herring in a barrel. The pilots sat down in their seats, followed by the crew, and the last two - pulled a special "load-securing" net that keeps the load from shifting. So this commander flew more than once.
The "drillers" got used to such flights, they were happy with it, the flight lasted 30 minutes. In the "last" flight, they didn't pull the net, like, let's hold on. and to the words of the commander, you are ready, you answered - "yes, let's go, commander."
During takeoff, due to a sharp acceleration, drillers fell like domino cubes into the tail section of the aircraft. The plane, after taking off, sharply increased the angle of attack - “reared up”, and in a moment “fell on the“ wing. ”The plane was smashed, the crew and drillers escaped with injuries and bruises. The commander was imprisoned for 7 years, after 3 years he left ahead of schedule. That's what it is - violation of "aircraft alignment".

[Alexey RA]

KS-46 has a slightly different problem: the standard system does not provide cargo containment under normal flight conditions. This situation is surprising in that for such a versatile aircraft there is already a normally functioning cargo securing system that has been tested in operation:

Quote: Pete Mitchell

This is a little strange, the elder brother of KS-46 aka B767 tanker / transport is quite successfully operated in Italy.