ADVERTISEMENT

China Extends Reach

Sept. 20, 2005

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

The Chinese have not only mastered the art of aerial refueling (DR, 9/19/05), they are now buying eight Russian Il-78M tankers, as well as 30 IL-76 heavy transport aircraft. With the Il-78, Chinese fighters can reach Andersen AFB, Guam, according to the International Assessment and Strategy Center.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

Air Force Backtracks on Boot Height Standards

Second B-21 Flies for the First Time

The Right Military Leader for the Air Force  

The Air Force Wants Your Input on Its Plan to Transform the Maintenance Career Field

Related Content

Second B-21 Flies for the First Time

Sept. 11, 2025
A second B-21 bomber has flown from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base in California, ramping up the Air Force’s test effort for its new fleet.

Natalie Crawford, Icon of USAF Analysis and Modernization, Dies at 86

Sept. 10, 2025
Natalie Crawford, whose analysis helped shape and build Air Force modernization for decades, has died at 86. Crawford, who joined RAND Corp. in 1964 and spent more than 60 years as an analyst and expert there, was an influential and instrumental voice in the development of almost every innovation pioneered…

SDA’s First Operational Data Satellites Launch Successfully

Sept. 10, 2025
The U.S. military launched 21 satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Sept. 10, carrying out the first phase of the Space Development Agency’s plan to put more than 100 operational “Tranche 1” data transport spacecraft in orbit over the next year.