KC-46A has first refueling flight

SEATTLE -- Boeing and U.S. Air Force aircrews successfully completed the KC-46A tanker's first refueling flight Sunday over Washington state. Following takeoff from Boeing Field, the KC-46A test team worked through a series of test points before offloading 1,600 pounds of fuel to an F-16 flying at 20,000 feet. During the 5 hour and 43-minute flight, air refueling operators accomplished multiple contacts with the F-16 that confirmed the system was ready to transfer fuel. (Source: Boeing, 01/24/16) Gulf Coast note: Airbus had competed for the refueling contract and planned to build the tankers in Mobile, Ala. Boeing won, and Airbus instead opted to build A320 series jetliners in Mobile. The first Mobile-built jetliner, for JetBlue, will be delivered this year.