Boeing (NYSE: BA) and the U.S. Air Force have achieved preliminary design review closure for the KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tanker’s remote vision system design after both parties reached an agreement to include upgrades to the aircraft’s panoramic camera system, Breaking Defense reported Tuesday.
“The panoramic sensors will be upgraded with improved infrared cameras and the addition of new visible cameras,” Capt. Samantha Morrison, a spokeswoman for the Air Force, told the publication.
“While the panoramic displays will remain the same, the improved panoramic sensors and the ability to display panoramic imagery on the upgraded primary display will result in significant improvements in capabilities,” he added.
Morrison noted that Boeing will shoulder the cost of upgrades to the aircraft’s panoramic suite as part of the RVS 2.0 redesign package.
The RVS system is designed to provide boom operators with imagery during aircraft refueling missions, while the panoramic camera technology is meant to detect aircraft at a certain distance.
RVS 2.0 is expected to enter into critical design review phase by June and will feature better visible and infrared cameras, 4K color display, redesigned image processors and a new operator station.
In 2020, Boeing and the Air Force signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the RVS 2.0 design at no additional cost to the service branch.
