The KC-46 Pegasus Demo Team brings advanced technology to the air refuelling process, allowing for more efficient and flexible operations across the globe. But beyond its impressive engineering and technical features, the Pegasus has an exciting role to play in the skies.

The KC-46 Pegasus Demo Team showcases the aircraft’s capabilities in a way that highlights its role as a critical force multiplier for allied military operations. As a modern aerial refuelling aircraft and a key part of Air Mobility Command, it performs dazzling aerial displays at airshows, public events, and military demonstrations, offering a glimpse into the seamless integration of air refuelling with modern military aviation.

Precision & Power

When most people think of an aerial demo team and military airshow performances, they likely picture fighter jets performing acrobatic stunts. However, the KC-46 Pegasus is a different breed of aircraft. Its primary mission is to refuel combat and support aircraft mid-flight, but its demonstration highlights the surprisingly agile and capable nature of this next-gen military aircraft.

During these performances, the KC-46 Pegasus Demo Team demonstrates how the tanker can extend the reach of fighter jets, bombers, and other aircraft by providing them with fuel in the air, no matter how far from base they are. The aircraft flies in perfect coordination with receiving aircraft, performing aerial choreography that showcases advanced aerial manoeuvres and highlights the refuelling process. Watching the KC-46 seamlessly extend its boom and deliver fuel mid-flight, while maintaining a steady flight path in often challenging conditions, is nothing short of remarkable.

The Boeing tanker demonstration highlights how modern tankers have evolved to meet the needs of today’s missions. It includes digital flight controls, an advanced refuelling boom, and a new air-to-air refuelling system that represents a major step forward in aviation demonstration team capabilities. 

These upgrades help the KC-46 perform reliably in demanding strategic airlift operations, supporting missions around the world with greater reach and flexibility. And it also showcases the growing importance of air force tanker capabilities as a core part of international force projection.

The Men and Women Behind the Demonstrations

Flying and operating the KC-46 Pegasus Demo Team requires highly skilled and experienced personnel. The demo team is composed of the best pilots, boom operators, and maintenance professionals, each bringing their expertise to the table. Together, they create a show that highlights not just the aircraft’s technology, but also the people who operate it.

For the pilots, it’s about more than just executing advanced aerial manoeuvres—it’s about demonstrating how the aircraft can be relied upon to support missions in every corner of the globe. For the boom operators, the demonstration is an opportunity to show off their ability to safely and effectively refuel other aircraft while in motion, often at high speeds and under challenging conditions.  

These performances are a standout in any USAF flight display, offering a unique look into the teamwork and technology that define the future of air mobility.