The US Air Force (USAF) has selected MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida as the preferred location for the next KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tanker aircraft.
The latest decision was made on 21 December and follows site surveys that evaluated the location.
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During the surveys, factors such as environmental considerations, cost, infrastructure capacity, and community support were assessed.
The USAF noted that it will make a final basing decision following an environmental impact analysis (EIA), scheduled to take place in 2023.
A total of 24 KC-46As will replace active-duty KC-135 Stratotankers at the air base.
According to the USAF, the new KC-46A is designed to provide boom and drogue refuelling on the same sortie, support global navigation and communications.
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By GlobalDataThe tanker will also offer receiver air refuelling, enhanced force protection, expanded cargo capacity, and multi-point air refuelling capabilities.
Fairchild AFB in Washington is considered as the alternative candidate location for the KC-46 active-duty component. This base will also undergo an EIA.
In May this year, the names of six candidate locations in the US were announced to host the next Reserve-led KC-46A Pegasus aircraft.
The KC-46A wide-body, multi-mission aircraft is based on the KC-767 refuelling aircraft. It is manufactured by Boeing under a contract with the USAF to transport fuel, cargo, passengers, and patients.
