Originally Posted by
ImageGear
Would anyone be prepared to say, what the percentage of new components, (as in designed and manufactured specifically for..) had to be sourced to meet the specific USAF requirements?
Structurally? Not too much. 5%?
Fuel system? Lots and lots of big changes to the tankage, plumbing, valving, pumping, displays, and processors/software.
Powerplant? Not too much. Slight change to engines (mostly to satisfy USAF servicing requirements). Nacelles are unique to KC-46 due to USAF not wanting thrust reversers, which also resulted in a change to the EEC software which controls the reversers that aren't there anymore. Off the shelf APU, but some changes to APU starting system to accommodate "alert status" APU starting.
Avionics, not too much. The biggest change was a switch to 787 flight deck displays and display processors/drivers. These parts have a KC-46 specific part number, but are essentially the same parts as on 787.
Wiring is a different thing. Over 25
miles of wire were added.
Obviously the refueling boom, WARP (Wing Aerial Refueling Pods), 3-D camera system, and RARO (Remote Aerial Refueling Operator) Station and associated installation provisions are KC-46 unique.