An Air Force KC-135 is working with the Navy’s V-22 Osprey team to test the tilt-rotor aircraft’s mid-air refueling capability. The tests, which began on Aug. 24 at NAS Patuxent River, Md., will determine first if the two aircraft can operate near each other safely, and then proceed with actual in-air refuelings. According to V-22 program spokesman Ward Carroll, the Wednesday test proved for the first time the two aircraft could connect via refueling boom. Carroll said the current testing phase will conclude early next week.
The first B-1B Lancers have returned to flight following a grounding more than two weeks ago to inspect issues with the aircraft’s fuel systems. Air Force Global Strike Command announced May 6 that an undisclosed number of the bombers are back to flying after the April 20 stand down order.…