Based on the program laid out in the KC-X tanker request for proposal issued on Wednesday, the Air Force plans to take delivery of the first production-version KC-X airframe in Fiscal 2015, according to Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Col. Karen Platt. And the service anticipates having enough of the new tankers in place in Fiscal 2017—18 aircraft, to be exact—so it can proceed to the review that will decide if the first KC-X unit is ready for operations, she told the Daily Report Thursday. The Air Force plans to buy 179 KC-X tankers over 13 production lots to replace the oldest of its Eisenhower-era KC-135s. Four of these will be built during the KC-X program’s engineering and manufacturing development phase and used as test assets. After the flight test activities conclude, Platt said they will be modified into the full production configuration. Continue
KC-135 Crashes In Iraq While Supporting Iran Ops
March 12, 2026
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran crashed during an incident involving two aircraft over Iraq March 12, U.S. Central Command announced. The aircraft were not shot down, CENTCOM added.