KC-46A Test Plane (First Flight)

The KC-46A Pegasus tanker program hit an important milestone Sunday with the successful first flight of its engineering test plane.

The Boeing 767-2C, a test version of the KC-46A without the refueling boom and other tanker equipment, took wing at 9:29 a.m. Pacific time, landing three hours and 32 minutes later at Boeing Field just outside of Seattle.

KC-46A Test Plane (First Flight)

KC-46A Test Plane (First Flight)

KC-46A Test Plane (First Flight)

KC-46A Test Plane (First Flight)

It marks the first test flight of any kind for the KC-46A tanker program, which will produce 179 new planes to replace the aging KC-135 tanker fleet, with production ending in 2027. The tanker replacement program is a major focus for Boeing's defense arm as many of its programs wind down.

In a company statement, Boeing test pilot Ron Johnston said the 767-2C performed "flawlessly," adding that pilots took the plane up to 28,000 feet and near max speed while verifying various systems.

The same news release quoted Brig. Gen. Duke Richardson, the program executive officer for tankers, calling the flight a "really critical step in the life of this program and the development of this important capability for the warfighter."