APURSS
The alert-launch gap, closed by remote start.
Auxiliary Power Unit Remote Start System for the KC-46 Pegasus — co-invented at the 22nd Air Refueling Wing Innovation Lab.
01 What it is
APURSS — the Auxiliary Power Unit Remote Start System — starts a KC-46 Pegasus's APU remotely: a cellular command drives a precision actuator on the flight deck, triggering the aircraft's APU start without a crew member in the seat. Co-invented at the 22nd Air Refueling Wing Innovation Lab, McConnell AFB, Kansas.
02 Why it exists
When the KC-46 replaced the KC-135 Stratotanker, an alert-launch gap opened: minutes lost between the order to launch and a tanker ready to taxi. APURSS closes that gap — the APU is already running when the crew arrives.
03 How it works
A remote command travels over cellular — triggerable from states away, with only seconds of delay end-to-end — to a precision actuator that starts the APU.
04 The program
The Defense Innovation Unit secured $250,000 for continued R&D and commercialization. The first operational test ran with zero anomalies. Through partnerships with the FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University and PWI, the system is on a path to broader fielding across the KC-46 fleet.
05 The aircraft
The KC-46A Pegasus — Boeing’s aerial-refueling tanker, the airframe APURSS starts.
Boeing KC-46A Pegasus model by Muhamad Mirza Arrafi (Sketchfab) · CC-BY
06 In the press
- Air Force News Innovation lab pioneers remote start system for the KC-46 Pegasus →
- Air & Space Forces Magazine KC-46 APU remote start →
- Interesting Engineering KC-46 tankers get remote start →
