Maj. Andre A. Gerner and McDonnell Douglas pilot John D. Burns set a recognized record for STOL aircraft for greatest mass carried to a height of 6,600 feet (44,088 pounds) in a C-17A at Edwards AFB, Calif.
The KC-Z4, a blended wing body tanker concept being developed by startup JetZero, could fuel larger groups of aircraft at longer range to hold more targets at risk, company officials say.