The United States, United Kingdom and Australia have completed a test certifying the KC-46A Pegasus tanker for refueling the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft. Led by the U.S. Air Force’s 418th Flight Test Squadron, the testing took place on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base in California and marks the first time the KC-46A has been approved to refuel a foreign aircraft of this type.
According to Air Force Materiel Command, the certification gives Australia more options for aerial refueling beyond its current KC-135 and KC-30A tankers, and boosts the nation’s combat reach in the Pacific region. The test is also expected to speed up USAF and UK Royal Air Force preparations to operate their own E-7A Wedgetail fleets. Squadron Leader Owen Hamilton of the Australian Research and Development Unit said Australia’s Wedgetail experience, which began in 2010, will guide both allies in fielding the aircraft more quickly.
Boeing and the USAF KC-46 program team also helped solve key technical issues, including securely sharing data between KC-46A and E-7A, which had never worked together before.
Michael Baker, USAF’s lead for E-7A testing, said the goal is to ensure forces can work together easily, regardless of which country owns the aircraft. He said the results from this test will guide future collaboration on the platform.