USAF KC-46A Pegasus completes first 45-hour nonstop flight around the world

In a groundbreaking demonstration of endurance and operational capability, a KC-46A Pegasus from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing executed the world’s first nonstop westbound circumnavigation endurance flight.

Dubbed Project Magellan, this remarkable mission took place from June 29 to July 1, originating and concluding at McConnell Air Force Base.

This flight marks a significant milestone for Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) newest tanker aircraft, the KC-46A Pegasus. Project Magellan exemplifies the concept of Maximum Endurance Operations (MEO), which are designed to extend aircraft missions in both duration and reach.

By pushing the boundaries of endurance, MEOs enhance AMC’s ability to surge personnel, supplies, and aircraft, thereby sustaining initial operations and connecting joint forces globally. The foundation of this rapid global mobility is fuel, provided by these advanced tankers.

“Maximum Endurance Operations are all about overcoming the tyranny of distance: with a 48-hour duty day, you can literally fly across the world,” stated Capt. Cody Donahue, 22nd Operations Group executive officer and the mastermind behind Project Magellan. “In an era of Great Power Competition, crews need the ability to operate longer than they have in the past, and Project Magellan is the next step in getting AMC crews experience in the game-changing new construct that is MEO.”

During this historic flight, McConnell AFB showcased its prowess in coordinating receiver aircraft to demonstrate the KC-46’s operational capabilities as a tanker during MEO. The KC-46 refueled a diverse array of aircraft, including Air Force B-2 Spirits, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, F-15E Strike Eagles, and another KC-46.

This coordination involved three other military bases worldwide, which pre-positioned several tankers to refuel the KC-46 en route, enabling it to sustain a continuous flight duration of 45 hours.

The flight crew, comprising four pilots and two boom operators, exemplified the endurance theme by taking turns resting in the tanker’s built-in bunk beds, ensuring they remained alert and effective throughout the mission. This operational strategy highlights the KC-46’s design features that support extended missions.

As the first main operating base for the KC-46, McConnell AFB has honed its approach to maximizing the potential of the Air Force’s latest tanker. This includes providing rapid airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation for joint forces.