WASHINGTON — The predictive maintenance capabilities of the KC-46 Pegasus will help the Air Force "get over the hump" of its maintainer shortage, according to the head of Air Mobility Command.

Gen. Carlton Everhart said the aerial refueling aircraft — with 179 of the planes set to replace the oldest KC-135 Stratotankers — brings modernization to the maintenance world.

"It has the capability to report on itself," he told reporters at a Defense Writers Group breakfast here Wednesday.

As the plane flies, it can alert airmen to what needs to be fixed or replaced.

" 'This engine needs to be replaced in about 20 hours,' for example," he said. "If that engine goes out and throws a blade, it could be a $10 million replacement. If I do preventative maintenance, it could be a $200,000 replacement."

The KC-46 is expected to arrive at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma this fall to begin training with the 56th Air Refueling Squadron, which was activated in August.

The first flight is expected to be this September, Everhart said.

"I'm looking forward to flying that first flight and bringing on the Pegasus," he said.

The tanker is undergoing flight tests, he said, and will be a ready-to-go "war fighting plane" on Day 1.

The Air Force has established initial cadres of maintainers to work on the KC-46, Everhart said, so he's not worried about having enough people to maintain the aircraft.

"It's going to be pretty capable, which is going to help us get over the hump of our [maintainer shortages]," he said. "Am I worried? No. Am I watching? Absolutely."

The biggest concern is the gap between new maintainers and seasoned supervisors, Everhart said.

"Where we're hurting right now is we have supervisors, and nobody in the middle, and very young people coming on," he said. "It stresses out the fleet until we get that experience," which takes roughly five years, if not more, to gain.

That timeline "depends on how quickly someone learns and how much touch time they get" with the aircraft, he said.

Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, who leads Air Education and Training Command, said during the KC-46 training site dedication in August that training these aerial refueling specialists is a "multiyear process."

The KC-46 is based on Boeing's 767 airliners and can also be configured to carry passengers and cargo.


Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.  

Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.

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