After years of KC-46 vision system troubles, Boeing thinks its finally cracked the code

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A two-dimensional representation of the 3D image that boom operators will see in the KC-46’s Remote Vision System 2.0. (Boeing)

In legacy tankers like the KC-135 and KC-10, the boom operators look out a window at the back of the tanker as they refuel aircraft, relying on their eyesight as they steer the tanker’s boom into a receiver aircraft. The KC-46 alters that paradigm, moving boom operators to a refueling station near the cockpit where they receive visual cues from the Remote Vision System — a series of optical cameras and infrared sensors that provide imagery to the boom operator.

While the RVS is more technically complicated than simply looking out a window, there are operational benefits that come with the sensor suite. For example, the KC-46 will be able to conduct “covert” refueling operations in pitch black darkness, with the tanker using its longwave infrared cameras to see the boom and guide it into a receiver aircraft, and the pilot in a receiver aircraft donning night vision goggles to b  e able to see the tanker. (Currently, the Air Force does not use the KC-46 for covert refueling operations due to limitation  s with the vision system.)

https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/after-years-of-kc-46-vision-system-troubles-boeing-thinks-its-finally-cracked-the-code/