Leveraging its flight-tested and airworthiness-certified Wing Air Refueling Pods (WARPs), the KC-46A will integrate ABMS capabilities to relay information among joint force fighters. Even while carrying a communications pod, the KC-46 will still be capable of boom refueling as well as hose-and-drogue refueling through the Centerline Drogue System. This combination will extend the joint force’s data fabric to deliver data as well as fuel to the fight. (Paul Weatherman photo)
In the 21st century, military assets lacking battlespace awareness and real-time information are at a significant disadvantage against peer adversaries. In addition to delivering fuel and transporting people and cargo, Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus is transforming the strategic role of tankers by providing the data and communications connectivity the joint force needs for data-driven operations and real-time decision-making in the face of threats.
The KC-46A enables data sharing throughout the operational theater, including contested environments. Its robust data and communications connectivity, combat-ready defensive systems and countermeasures, and agile combat employment capabilities provide unmatched access to forward locations. This enables military assets access to critical real-time information, and results in military forces making faster, more effective operational decisions.
Connecting multi-domain forces
For information advantages against threats, joint forces require communication and data connectivity among their critical assets.
The KC-46A features seamless and secure datalinks and communications systems, including line-of-sight communications, beyond line-of-sight communications, SATCOM connectivity, as well as other communications modes. In addition, the KC-46A’s Tactical Situational Awareness Suite provides a complete battlespace picture to the crew—and that information can be relayed to others in the fleet through the tanker’s data and communications links.
The tanker’s communications capabilities will increase as it integrates the first concrete implementation of the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), which aims to enhance connectivity and information exchange between aircraft on the tactical edge as part of the Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) plan.
ABMS integration on the KC-46A builds on its existing communications and information exchange capabilities and takes advantage of the Pegasus’ persistent proximity to other assets in the theater.
Thriving in a contested environment
The need to be persistent in the battlespace is why the KC-46A’s combat-ready defensive systems and countermeasures are crucial for its role as a data connectivity hub. The KC-46A can operate near the threat space and in contact with other operational assets, and the data and communications capabilities are readily available to connect the joint force.
The KC-46A’s defensive systems and countermeasures far exceed any other tanker. The Pegasus features combat-ready capabilities to ensure survivability, such as radio warning receivers, anti-missile infrared countermeasures, flight deck armor, and nuclear, biological and chemical hardening. The KC-46 is built to survive in the contested environment, while providing the force with data where and when it needs it most for effective operational decision-making.
Persistent throughout the operational theater
The KC-46A’s defensive systems capability allows it to operate in areas currently not available with existing tankers, and the closer proximity to the fight provides warfighters a distinct advantage. Today’s tanker also needs the agility to deliver fuel and data throughout the operational theater.
The KC-46A provides unmatched access to forward airfields and takes up less ramp space than larger commercial-derivative tankers, enabling more booms in the air and data when and where needed.
The KC-46A’s ability to access austere airfields and shorter runways—along with its defensive capabilities—ensure that the Pegasus can connect and support all-domain forces at the tactical edge throughout the operational theater.
Revolutionizing the tanker’s role
In addition to delivering fuel and transporting passengers, patients and cargo, the combat-ready KC-46A delivers data, connecting joint force warfighters with more complete battlespace awareness for real-time decision-making against peer threats. ABMS integration is a strong example of how the Pegasus’ connectivity capabilities continue to evolve to meet the needs of the mission.
For contemporary battle planners, the KC-46A will play a revolutionary role in connecting all-domain forces for the information advantage that it takes to succeed in 21st century air warfare.
