CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. —
One of the vital famend plane within the Air Pressure’s fleet, the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor plane combines the vertical flight qualities of a helicopter with the gas effectivity and velocity of a hard and fast wing airplane. This mixture makes it the perfect plane for conducting infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for particular operations forces throughout lengthy distances.
Now, because of pathfinding efforts from the twentieth Particular Operations Squadron and the 349th Air Refueling Squadron, assigned to the twenty second Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Pressure Base, Kansas, CV-22 aircrews throughout Air Pressure Particular Operations Command can guarantee their plane’s prolonged vary by calling on Air Pressure Mobility Command’s latest tanker.
The 20 SOS & 349 ARS introduced a CV-22 and KC-46 Pegasus tanker collectively for in-air refueling coaching over Cannon, June 1, 2022. The flight was the primary time a KC-46 refueled an AFSOC CV-22.
“This being the primary time we operationally refueled with a KC-46 we have been in a position to get some good video for coaching and growth,” stated Maj. Anthony Belviso, the CV-22 plane commander. “We have been additionally in a position to get some understanding of what it feels prefer to fly behind the jet, and work on some completely different refueling strategies and practices”
One of many new capabilities the KC-46 brings to the desk is a hose and drogue system in the identical centerline place because it’s refueling increase pipe for fixed-wing plane.
“This functionality permits the KC-46 to the refuel the Osprey and different drogue appropriate receiver plane with none modification,” stated Maj. Benjamin Chase, the KC-46 plane commander. “That is essential as a result of it permits flexibility in mission planning and limits the quantity of upkeep it takes to arrange for air refueling, particularly in comparison with most plane within the legacy tanker fleet.”
“The CV-22 is particularly designed for lengthy vary missions, and whenever you add on prime of that an aerial refueling functionality you may prolong that distance to the purpose the place you’re solely restricted by how lengthy the crew is ready to fly,” stated Belviso. “The KC-46 can get sufficient gas to get a number of CV-22s that a lot additional each into and out of fight.”
“The 22 ARW has showcased the potential of the KC-46 to function out of austere areas in current workouts,” stated Chase. “That is distinctive amongst tanker plane, and replicates the varieties of environments the KC-46 to function out of when refueling the Osprey in real-world missions.”
One other benefit of CV-22s with the ability to refuel from KC-46s is that it permits for sooner refueling throughout real-world missions.
“Usually, an MC-130J plane must go as much as a tanker to get gas, then fly to us and provides us that gas, and must repeat that course of a number of occasions,” stated Belviso. “As a result of KC-46s can refuel us instantly, we will go straight to them and get every little thing performed far more shortly.”
With the profitable coaching mission, each Chase and Belviso stated it might present the information and real-world expertise the Air Pressure’s KC-46 and CV-22 fleets want to make sure the 2 airframes may work effectively collectively for a very long time to return.
“The refueling of the CV-22 marks one other success in this system,” stated Chase. “It actually paves the best way for assist of the Osprey and different plane sooner or later.”
“I’m glad we have been in a position to get the mission performed for the CV-22 neighborhood,” stated Belviso. “I believe this new functionality can be large for us going ahead, so I’m very comfortable about that.”
