EDWARDS AFB, Calif -- The KC-46A Pegasus successfully off-loaded fuel to an F-16C Fighting Falcon receiver aircraft, one of three milestones required to meet the Milestone C criteria for a Low-Rate Initial Production decision.
The Low-Rate Initial Production is conducted during the Production and Deployment Phase. The Low-Rate Initial Production served as the point in time where manufacturing development is completed and the ability to produce a small-quantity set of articles to provide for representation at Initial Operational Test and Evaluation. It also established an initial production base and set the stage for a gradual increase in production rate to allow for Full-Rate Production upon completion of Operational Test and Evaluation.
The Milestone Decision Authority determined the Low-Rate Initial Production quantity at Milestone B. The Low-Rate Initial Production quantity was documented in the Acquisition Strategy and the Selected Acquisition Report with rationale for quantities exceeding 10 percent of the total production quantity. An updated Acquisition Strategy must be approved prior and Request for Proposal released, but no later than the Milestone C or Full-Rate Production decision by the Milestone Decision Authority. The Operational Test Agency determined the number of production or production-representative test articles required for Live-Fire Test and Evaluation and Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.