With the delivery of the 59th and final KC-10A Extender in late March, the US Air Force (USAF) has completed a six-year upgrade programme for the aerial refuelling fleet. The modifications involved replacing the aircraft's Flight Management System (FMS) 800 with the new Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system. The CNS/ATM replaces the gyroscopes of FMS 800 with an infrared laser system which increases fuel efficiency for the aircraft.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)