With a successful first flight on April 25th, Boeing has added the fourth and final flight test aircraft to the KC-46 Pegasus fleet, a 767-2C.
During the 1 hour, 40 minute flight, test pilots performed operational engine checks, flight controls and environmental systems checks and took the 767-2C to a maximum altitude of 39,000 feet prior to landing at Boeing Field, south of Seattle.
The 767-2C is a KC-46 without the aerial refueling system installed. This aircraft, known as EMD-3, will be used to conduct environmental control system testing, including hot day/cold day testing and smoke penetration testing.
As part of the contract awarded in 2011 to design and develop the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation tanker, Boeing has built four test aircraft – two are configured as 767-2Cs and two as KC-46 tankers. Eventually, both 767-2Cs will become KC-46 tankers.
EMD-1, the first 767-2C test aircraft, has completed more than 315 flight test hours since its first flight in December 2014. EMD-2, the program’s first KC-46 tanker, made its maiden flight in September 2015 and has completed more than 240 flight test hours, including refueling F-16, F/A-18 and AV-8B aircraft. It also has been refueled by a KC-10 tanker. EMD-4, the second tanker, first flew on March 2, 2016 and has completed 25 flight hours.
Boeing plans to build 179 KC-46 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
Meanwhile, the Boeing Company reported first-quarter revenue increased 2% to $22.6 billion. Core earnings per share (Non-GAAP) of $1.74 reflect solid core operating performance that offset a $156 million after-tax charge ($0.24 per share) on the KC-46 Tanker program to maintain schedule with concurrency between late-stage development testing and the transition to initial production. GAAP earnings per share was $1.83.
The company’s full year guidance is reaffirmed, primarily driven by improved performance.
“Higher year-over-year deliveries of military aircraft and continued solid operating performance on core production programs drove revenue growth and strong cash flow for Boeing in the first quarter,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg.
“This performance enabled our ongoing investments in new product innovation and in our people, and the return of significant cash to shareholders through stock repurchases and dividends,” he added. (Photo credit: Tim Stake, Boeing)
