The US Air Force (USAF) has relied on aerial refueling since the 1950s to project power across the globe. Since 1955 the KC-135 Stratotanker has been the backbone of the fleet, analog control and direct visual contract to guide the aircraft to the refueling boom. This analog system, though a remnant of the past, has proven to be safe and highly reliable.
The successor, Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus, was supposed to bring the analog system into the digital age. Instead of relying on a window through which the boom operators could see and guide the aircraft, the Pegasus introduced the Remote Vision System (RVS), digital cameras and screens built to allow all weather and nighttime operations. In theory, the precision and data collection benefits offered would allow for continuous improvement based on real time data. In practice, the digital cameras lacked depth perception, glare confused the sensors and the system was far less intuitive than its analog predecessor. What was supposed to be a leap forward was a financial disaster and operational nightmare (Insinna, 2021; Insinna, 2020).
Boeing’s failure showcases an important lesson, digitization need not guarantee improvement. Analog solutions, though archaic, are robust and proven. The Pegasus struggles echo a growing trend in technology where it is assumed a digital solution is always triumphant. From household appliances to military aircraft, not everything needs to be connected and digitized, improvement is necessary but going digital isn’t always the answer.
In my opinion the USAF should have used a test bed aircraft to see how each of these new system perform and implement a staggered rollout of the aircraft. Military procurement has suffered from trying to implement too much all at once, the Zumwalt Class of naval vessels being another example.
What do you guys think? Should going digital be the priority or should tried and tested methods be kept as they are?
Insinna, V. (2020, April 2). Done deal: Boeing will have to rip and replace KC-46 sensor and camera systems on its own dime. Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2020/04/02/done-deal-boeing-will-have-to-rip-and-replace-kc-46-sensor-and-camera-systems-on-its-own-dime/
Insinna, V. (2021, February 24). Despite growing pains, the KC-46 will begin limited operations soon. Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/smr/air-force-priorities/2021/02/24/despite-growing-pains-the-kc-46-will-begin-limited-operations-soon/
