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KC-46 Tanker: Air Force Needs to Mature Critical Technologies in New Aerial Refueling System Design

GAO-22-104530 Published: Jan 27, 2022. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2022.
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Fast Facts

Under the Air Force's KC-46 program, Boeing is developing an aerial refueling tanker from a commercial aircraft design. But critical defects with the aircraft's remote vision system and other technologies have delayed full use of these capabilities.

The Air Force previously limited its financial risk by using a contract that set a price ceiling with Boeing. But the Air Force now plans to commit to the new design of the remote vision system before all of the technologies are adequately developed—risking further delays and increased costs.

Our recommendations to the Air Force include that it fully assess and test the KC-46 technologies.

KC-46 aerial refueling tanker in action

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Highlights

What GAO Found

The KC-46 tanker's aerial refueling capability enables military aircraft to fly farther and stay airborne longer. The Air Force and Boeing are currently addressing several critical deficiencies—such shortfalls that can cause death or injury, or loss or damage to the aircraft—that are delaying use of KC-46's full aerial refueling capabilities. Two of these deficiencies relate to the aircraft's remote vision system (RVS). The system's cameras and display allow operators to observe and reposition the boom—a rigid telescope that delivers fuel to the receiver aircraft. (See figure.) The RVS currently cannot be used to perform all aerial refueling missions because it does not work in changing lighting conditions.

KC-46 Aircraft Using a Boom to Refuel a Receiver Aircraft

KC-46 Aircraft Using a Boom to Refuel a Receiver Aircraft

Despite delays, the government's financial risk has generally been limited to the ceiling price of its contract with Boeing. However, the Air Force plans to close its review of the contractor's proposed redesign for the remote vision system and assume financial responsibility for it without:

  • assessing the system's technology readiness level;
  • developing a plan to bring the system's immature technologies to appropriate technology readiness levels; and
  • integrating and testing the system prototype in an operational environment.

Without taking these steps prior to closing the preliminary design review, the program may accept a remote vision system design that contains immature technologies and greater risk of cost and schedule growth. The sooner the program completes these steps, even if after the design review, the sooner it can identify design issues and proactively take steps to mitigate any further cost growth and delays in delivering promised capability to the warfighter.

As the Air Force begins to retire its aging tankers, it plans to expand the use of KC-46s while it works to address the remote vision system and other shortfalls. It is also studying the use of contracted air refueling services to add future capacity should there be shortages. The Air Force expects to complete that study in 2023.

Why GAO Did This Study

The KC-46 tanker is among the Air Force's highest acquisition priorities as it is intended to replace one-third of the aging aerial refueling tanker fleet. Aerial refueling—the transfer of fuel from airborne tankers to combat and airlift forces while in flight—is critical to the U.S. military's ability to operate globally.

GAO received a request to review the KC-46 program. In addition, a House Report included a provision for GAO to review the Department of Defense's (DOD) use of contracted aerial refueling services. This report reviews the KC-46 program and assesses: (1) the Air Force and Boeing's steps to address critical deficiencies; (2) the Air Force's plans to conduct a technology readiness assessment and maturation plan for critical technologies; and (3) DOD's actions to address potential aerial refueling gaps, including the use of contracted refueling services.

GAO assessed documentation and interviewed officials from the KC-46 program office, Air Force, DOD, and Boeing, among others.

Recommendations

GAO is making three recommendations including that, prior to the approving the contractor's redesign of the remote vision system, or soon thereafter, the Air Force (1) assess technology readiness, (2) develop a technology maturation plan, and (3) test the prototype in an operational environment. The Air Force did not concur with these recommendations. GAO continues to believe these recommendations are valid, as discussed in this report.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status Sort descending
Department of the Air Force The Secretary of the Air Force should direct KC-46 program officials to test a full prototype of the remote vision system on a KC-46 in an operational environment prior to closing the preliminary design review or as soon as possible thereafter. (Recommendation 3)
Open
The Department of the Air Force did not concur with this recommendation. As of July 2023, the Air Force has not taken any further action to close this recommendation and maintained that it does not plan to test a full prototype of the remote vision system on a KC-46 in an operational environment soon after the preliminary design review.
Department of the Air Force The Secretary of the Air Force should direct KC-46 program officials to complete an independent TRA of the redesigned remote vision system's critical technologies prior to closing the preliminary design review or as soon as possible thereafter, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the maturity of the critical technologies. (Recommendation 1)
Open
The Department of the Air Force did not concur with this recommendation. As of July 2023, the Air Force had not taken any further action to close this recommendation and maintained that it does not plan to complete a TRA of the remote vision system's critical technologies.
Department of the Air Force The Secretary of the Air Force should direct KC-46 program officials, in coordination with Boeing and prior to closing the preliminary design review or as soon as possible thereafter, to develop TMPs for the remote vision system's critical technologies. (Recommendation 2)
Open
The Department of the Air Force did not concur with this recommendation. As of July 2023, the Air Force has not taken any further action to close this recommendation and maintained that it does not plan to complete a TMP for the remote vision system's critical technologies.

Full Report

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Topics

Air-refueling tankersAircraftCost and scheduleCritical technologiesDefense budgetsIn-flight refuelingMilitary forcesSystems designTanker shipsMilitary readiness