This Is What The Remote Boom Operators Station On A KC-46 Tanker Actually Looks Like [10/11] - Remote Boom Operators Station 10.jpg (1/1)

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Probably the most controversial feature on the USAF's new KC-46 Pegasus tanker
is its Aerial Refueling Operator Station (AROS). The KC-46 abandoned the tried
and true boom pod that puts the boom operator looking out the back of the jet
through a window and replaced it with a series of multi-spectral cameras
distributed around the aircraft and a hybrid 3D/2D remote system for operating
the boom itself. The operators sit in the front of the aircraft at a two-person
station that looks like something out of drone command trailer more than a
high-flying gas station. In the past, we have seen photos of the system mocked
up on the ground and in simulators, now Altus AFB has published a variety of
images showing off the real McCoy during an actual mission.

AROS includes three main displays in front of each operator. The top set of
displays is for situational awareness around the aircraft's rear hemisphere. It
is especially well suited for monitoring probe-equipped aircraft that are
refueling via the aircraft's centerline hose and drogue unit and the two podded
units that will eventually be available to the Pegasus tanker. A number of them
were supposed to be delivered with the initial aircraft, but to our knowledge,
they are behind schedule due to flight certification issues and will not be
delivered for some time.

The central 2D/3D display replicates the boomer's view out the back of the
aircraft for boom refueling operations. The boom, which operates via fly-by-wire
controls, is flown with control sticks mounted on either side of each boom
operator's console.

A third display, which is a heads-down unit, provides critical data related to
the aircraft's configuration and fueling operations. As you can see, the boom
operators also use their tablets during missions. A wide variety of controls
surround these display units, some of which are shared between the operator
stations that are connected via a central console.

One advantage with the system is that boom operators can execute their mission
in total darkness, with both aircraft blacked out visible light-wise. In the
past, specially equipped KC-135RTs and highly trained crews focused on this type
of refueling. You can read all about the shy world of Special Operations Aerial
Refueling in this special feature of ours. At the same time, the system has
proven to be highly troublesome and is set to undergo a major overhaul.

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Another major and seemingly flagrant issue with the aircraft has also popped up
recently, one that has nothing to do with the plane's development issues. In
February 2019, Boeing halted KC-46 flight activities at its Washington state
plant after finding loose tools and other foreign object debris inside the
airframes of completed jets. Air Force personnel were at the facility at the
time conducting flight training.

On Mar. 1, 2019, the Air Force confirmed that it had stopped accepted new KC-46s
altogether over these issues. Less than two weeks later, though, the service
began taking deliveries of the tankers again, after Boeing agreed to a 13-step
corrective plan.

Then on Apr. 2, 2019, the Air Force revealed that it had again suspended
accepting any more KC-46s more than week earlier due to more FOD turning up in
completed aircraft. At the time of writing, the service is still refusing to
take delivery of any more tankers until Boeing implements additional correction
actions.


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