USAF KC-46A Pegasus Completes Historic 45-Hour Nonstop Flight Around the World

In a remarkable display of endurance and strategic capability, a U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus tanker recently completed the world's first nonstop, 45-hour circumnavigation flight. The mission, named Project Magellan, took off from McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas and circled the globe, traversing the Pacific Ocean, Asia, Europe, and the Atlantic Ocean before returning to its starting point.

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This historic flight was part of a series of Maximum Endurance Operations (MEOs) designed to test the limits of the KC-46A Pegasus, the Air Mobility Command's newest tanker aircraft. The previous record for an MEO was set by the 157th Air Refueling Wing, which completed a 36-hour endurance mission. However, Project Magellan pushed the boundaries even further, demonstrating the KC-46A's ability to operate for extended periods of time. The KC-46A Pegasus refueled a variety of aircraft during its journey, including B-2 Spirit bombers, C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, F-15E Strike Eagles, and another KC-46A tanker. This ability to refuel multiple types of aircraft is a key advantage of the KC-46A, which is designed to support a wide range of missions.

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The success of Project Magellan is a testament to the skill and dedication of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, which operates the KC-46A Pegasus. The flight crew, consisting of four pilots and two boom operators, took turns resting and relieving their counterparts at set intervals, utilizing the built-in bunk beds on the tanker. The KC-46A Pegasus also demonstrated its ability to "explode into theater" by coordinating with three other military bases around the world to pre-position several of the wing's tankers to refuel the KC-46A en route. This allowed the aircraft to fly for 45 hours straight, showcasing the Air Force's ability to project power and maintain global reach in an era of great power competition.

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The completion of Project Magellan marks a significant milestone in the development of the KC-46A Pegasus and the Air Mobility Command's MEO program. It demonstrates the aircraft's ability to overcome the "tyranny of distance" and support operations anywhere in the world. As the Air Force continues to modernize its tanker fleet, the KC-46A Pegasus will play a critical role in maintaining global reach and ensuring the success of future missions.

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