KB-29 with Boeing flying boom
Huetter added that the Museum of Flight is the best place to understand Seattle’ s history. He added,“ It’ s the best place in the world to learn about Boeing’ s history, legacy, the people who made it great, and to see the fruits of their labor.”
Today, the KC-46, a direct descendant of the KC-135, is replacing the aging tanker, which was built almost 70 years ago. This transition not only marks a significant advancement in air refueling technology but also demonstrates the enduring legacy of Boeing’ s contributions to the field.
The new KC-46A Pegasus has been in the works for a decade.
It is a multi-mission tanker built exclusively for the U. S. Air Force and its allies. It carries 220,000 pounds of fuel and has offloaded 100 million pounds of fuel globally.
The Boeing defense website states,“ Armed with data links and Advanced Battle Management System( ABMS) integration, the Pegasus tanker connects multi-domain warfighters, providing tactical situational awareness and real-time information superiority.” It is also more cost-effective than larger air tankers, allowing for more refueling to be conducted worldwide.
The Museum of History & Industry( MOHAI) is another location to learn more about Boeing’ s history and the history of the air tankers. Executive Director, Leonard Garfield said,“ For Seattleites, the Boeing story is OUR story, and almost every visitor has some personal connection that comes alive as they view the museum displays. For out-of-town guests, the Boeing exhibits shed light on one if the quintessential Seattle stories, helping visitors better appreciate the place they are visiting.”
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