The Air Force will buy up to 75 more KC-46 aerial refuelers to recapitalize its KC-135 fleet, deciding against a competition for the next phase of its tanker plans.
KC-Y
The Air Force appears to be leaning buying toward more KC-46 refuelers rather than developing a stealthy future tanker, based on budget documents released this week. USAF’s plans prioritize connectivity upgrades and self-protection measures for its aerial refueling fleet. No...
Discussion of future tankers comes as the Air Force continues downsizing two of its three aerial refueling fleets and bringing on the troubled KC-46 Pegasus, the U.S. military’s first 21st-century tanker program.
What kind of aircraft the Air Force needs, what it can afford, and how long it will be before that aircraft is available all hang in the balance.
WORLD-Air: KC-135 Recap Requirements; USAF wants to complete E-7 Fleet quickly.
At least 20 new airplane programs—including a handful that are variants—are in some stage of planning or development. If sustained, this airplane-building campaign will lower the average age of the fleet, increase its size, and enhance its ability to be upgraded rapidly.
The Air Force will reduce its next buy of aerial tankers and push on toward development of a new, stealthy system that will be operational in the 2030s-2040, service acquisition executive Andrew Hunter said. He told reporters at the AFA Warfare Symposium that the Air ...
The Air Force has officially launched its Next-Generation Air-Refueling System, a stealthy tanker to begin operations circa 2040. A Request for Information put out to industry said USAF will consider all manner of novel and innovative ideas for the next tanker, but the technologies it ...
Boeing’s defense business has stabilized following a series of massive quarterly losses that put the company in a precarious position, top executives said on an earnings call Jan. 25. Now, officials said they are focused on moving forward with new technology in the Boeing Defense, Space, ...
The growing reach of China's long-range missiles means the Air Force may have to give up on traditional cargo and tanker aircraft and move toward purpose-built stealth designs for these missions, Secretary Frank Kendall said on a Council of Foreign Relations webinar. He also said ...
Lockheed Martin says it is still pitching its LMXT tanker to the Air Force amid a looming requirements announcement for the KC-Y tanker program. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has cast doubt on whether a KC-Y program would field a wholly new aircraft and has ...
World: Acquisition--Time to invest in Next-Gen Tankers; Acquisition inflation.
