Posted on Aug 23, 2024
After Refueling Mishap, KC-46 Drops ‘Portion’ of Its Boom
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https://go.afa.org/e/285922/ling-mishap-kc-46-boom-travis-/xkyk5d/ [login to see] /h/L9Q9aZlE5-sgvGl3ijoCPagQn3b7UH0S5nADUnPHgbM
Mote issues for the money pit in the sky.
Mote issues for the money pit in the sky.
After Refueling Mishap, KC-46 Drops ‘Portion’ of Its Boom
Posted from go.afa.org
1A0X1: In - Flight Refueling
McConnell AFB
Travis AFB
Boeing
Posted 3 mo ago
Responses: 3
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I never fully understood the incentive to make all the changes to the boom system just because it would be attached to a new aircraft. Just because you can use new technology doesn't always mean you should. That said, this may not necessarily be an issue with the tanker, I've seen similar issues with a boom on KC-135s that were caused by the aircraft being refueled. I've no idea what the refueling envelope for a KC- 46 is, but if an aircraft being refueled by a KC-135 gets to far down and in the boom will sustain damage. A boom operator with eyes on the refueling aircraft as well as gages will call for a breakaway to prevent that.
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Maj Robert Thornton
I understand what you are saying Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen. The biggest difference I can see is the boom operated on the 10 and 135 were in the back with eyes on the boom and aircraft. In the 46 the boomer uses a video system from the cockpit and that may cause some issues.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Maj Robert Thornton Ya, that's my thinking as well, no matter how sophisticated a video feed has a second or two delay that the human eyeball on the operation doesn't. Trust me, a lot of bad things can happen in a couple seconds during a refueling.
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Maj Robert Thornton
On a positive note for refueling aircraft Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen, do you remember this one?
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/kc-135-navigator-tells-the-story-of-when-his-stratotanker-towed-a-badly-damaged-f-111-fighter-bomber-through-the-skies-of-north-vietnam-back-to-thailand/amp/
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/kc-135-navigator-tells-the-story-of-when-his-stratotanker-towed-a-badly-damaged-f-111-fighter-bomber-through-the-skies-of-north-vietnam-back-to-thailand/amp/
KC-135 navigator tells the story of when his Stratotanker towed a badly damaged F-111 Fighter...
KC-135 navigator tells the story of when his Stratotanker towed a badly damaged F-111 Fighter Bomber in the skies of North Vietnam
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Maj Robert Thornton Yup, remember it well, I was still in B-52s when this happened but it's a story that was told when transitioning to the FB-111.
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Expensive refueling!
Unconfirmed photos claiming to show the KC-46 after it landed circulated on the unofficial “Air Force amn/nco/snco” Facebook page—in the photos, the boom appears to have broken in half, with exposed wires and pipes, and the exhaust cone of the tanker is badly damaged.
The 931st Air Refueling Wing could not confirm the pictures’ veracity.
Unconfirmed photos claiming to show the KC-46 after it landed circulated on the unofficial “Air Force amn/nco/snco” Facebook page—in the photos, the boom appears to have broken in half, with exposed wires and pipes, and the exhaust cone of the tanker is badly damaged.
The 931st Air Refueling Wing could not confirm the pictures’ veracity.
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