Nothing at all turned up when I searched for "kc-46" strangely enough. Has anyone heard anything about when they will be out and start dropping to UPT classes? Also are they replacing the 135 or the 10? I've always heard the 135 until recently. The argument was that the AF wants to shut down the kc-10 and flow those guys into the 46 since they're used to taking gas.

Edited March 17, 20169 yr by Spaceballs

someone dropped KC-46s in the last UPT drop (check that thread).  Search function has in the past had issues with searching for things that are three letters or less...not sure if that is still an issue.

I also heard that the guy that dropped the KC-46 in that class was a Guard guy who's unit is going to convert to KC-46s but hasn't yet and won't anytime very soon, so he'll likely fly 135s first. 

Think the first operational, non Edwards guys start going through training early FY2017

The initial cadre hasn't even been selected.

There are people in the military that aren't in the test community who have class start dates for KC 46 training for bed down purposes.

1 minute ago, Guardian said:

There are people in the military that aren't in test who have class start dates for KC 46 training.

Type-1 training?

Not familiar with what type 1 training is. That's not verbiage I've ever heard used in any of the airframes I've flown.

6 minutes ago, Guardian said:

 

Not familiar with what type 1 training is. That's not verbiage I've ever heard used in any of the airframes I've flown.

Copy, then you have no idea what you're talking about.

I love all of the assumptions you make. How do you know if I do or don't know what I am talking about?

IOTE crewmembers have been selected, still waiting on the call for Initial Cadre applications.

If you asked if it was some sort of military training or at flight safety I would have told you I have no idea. I don't know if it is a full up IQT or some sort of basic airframe qual or a type through a civilian company. All I know is my buddy told me that they are going to training in the fall of this year. Quit being rude bro. Stop assuming things instead of fact seeking and asking questions. That's unbecoming of a SNCO.

IOTE crewmembers have been selected, still waiting on the call for Initial Cadre applications.

Thanks man.

2 hours ago, Azimuth said:

Copy, then you have no idea what you're talking about.

Another thread that you guys make me LOL in.

https://www.afpc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123470944

The PSDM with the selectee list should be out early next week on mypers. The folks heading to McConnell and a few going to Altus will complete Type-1 (Boeing Contracted) training. Others will be the small group try out class at Altus. Training should occur in the next year.

Edited March 19, 20169 yr by GBock

They picked the IOTE people over a year ago. What's funny is they wanted a smattering of experience (co's, AC's and IP's), but the process takes so long that the co's and AC's they selected are now AC's and IP's.

This jet isn't going to replace the KC-135. Augment them maybe. I don't even see it being involved in the Global Strike mission. It's hard to believe, but there are some advantages using 60 year old equipment.

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I heard they are going for a one for one boom replacement. The 46 is bigger than the 10 and only carries 135 type fuel weight. Restart the 707 line!

The KC-46 is bigger?

uhh 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_KC-10_Extender#Specifications_.28KC-10A.29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_KC-46_Pegasus#Specifications

Just the right size (that's what she said)

Sexy beast...

That is one good looking plane. I really hope they'll be dropping without long wait times by next year.

18 hours ago, Gazmo said:

They picked the IOTE people over a year ago. What's funny is they wanted a smattering of experience (co's, AC's and IP's), but the process takes so long that the co's and AC's they selected are now AC's and IP's.

This jet isn't going to replace the KC-135. Augment them maybe. I don't even see it being involved in the Global Strike mission. It's hard to believe, but there are some advantages using 60 year old equipment.

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IOT&E selects from last year were released around October and told to recompete at the February call for applicants. 

https://www.afpc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123470944 no longer exists. 

Maybe related to

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/boeing-likely-to-miss-delivery-date-for-tankers-pentagon-says

No PSDM on MyPers that I can find

Sad to read about delays and other issues with the KC-46.  I retired after 28 years in the AF in 2014.  This program was suppossed to have a 767 based tanker flying in 2007!. I hoped to accomplish an Air refueling with one before I retired and it's pathetic that The AF and Boeing has screwed up this program since the early 2000's.

Boeing doesn't care about this contract. It's chump change compared to what they make on airline sales.

This tanker deal was much more delayed by a terrible procurement process and scandal.

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https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-racing-clock-to-deliver-18-kc-46-tankers-by-n-422356/

Only two aircraft currently flying in support of FAA type certification and aerial refuelling demonstration and the first KC-46A recently passed fuel to an F-16 and F/A-18 and then received fuel from a KC-10. The developmental tanker must now refuel an AV-8B, A-10 and C-17 to satisfy a “milestone C” decision review board that had planned to convene in April, but is now tracking toward early May.

Milestone C is the decision for Low Rate production... Looks like it is going to be delayed because of problems with the Boom:

https://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2016/March%202016/March%2016%202016/Goldfein-KC-46-On-Track.aspx

There have been issues with some boom axial loads, but Goldfein said, “we think we actually have the software fix in place.”

It's only software, right?