US Air Force Deploys Third of KC-46 Fleet to Pacific Amid Asian Pivot
The US Air Force is expanding its presence in the Pacific by sending a third of its KC-46 tanker fleet to the region. This move comes as part of the military's 'pivot' to Asia, announced over a decade ago. However, realities elsewhere, such as the Middle East, have put pressure on this pivot.
The Boeing KC-46A Pegasus is a generational upgrade over the older and smaller quad-engined KC-135R Stratotanker. It offers improved fuel efficiency, allowing it to offload more fuel during refueling missions. The KC-46 has also been designed with advanced networking capabilities, better sensors, and improved self-defense measures.
The US Air Force originally planned for the KC-46A to be an interim stopgap measure between the KC-135 and a next-generation tanker. However, it is increasingly becoming a stable backbone of Air Force tanker capabilities. The service has announced plans to purchase another 75 KC-46s, bringing its total fleet to 258.
The KC-46's improvements make it an essential asset for supporting Navy operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Its ability to operate from shorter runways and defend itself in contested airspace makes it a valuable addition to the Air Force's capabilities.