USAF: No Final Decision Yet On KC-135 Replacement Plan

FARNBOROUGH—The U.S. Air Force has not decided on its plan to replace much of its KC-135 fleet following its buy of KC-46As, and will soon finalize a study on a future, clean-sheet tanker—if there is funding available.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, speaking July 22 at the Farnborough Airshow here, said there’s “no final decision” on what is now called the KC-135 Recapitalization program. The service in March 2023 first rolled out the plan, which aims to field an upgraded tanker following the end of the KC-46 program of record in 2029 and ahead of the planned Next Generation Aerial Refueling System (NGAS) in 2040.

Boeing and Airbus have submitted bids for the program, and an acquisition strategy was expected this summer. Airbus had teamed with Lockheed Martin for the effort, but the latter company pulled out under requirements that were released last fall. Andrew Hunter, the service’s assistant secretary for acquisition, said in March that the Air Force was reviewing the proposals and planned to make a decision this summer.

Kendall spoke as the Air Force is finalizing its fiscal 2026 budget request, which will likely determine the plan’s future. Kendall and others have signaled that the upcoming budget will be tight for modernization, potentially putting this and NGAS in limbo.

NGAS as a new development program will take years, he says. Air Force studies have shown adversary threats are covering long distances, putting tankers and other support aircraft in danger and in turn requiring improved survivability.

The Air Force has not yet outlined funding for NGAS beyond the current analysis of alternatives, and officials have said the lack of money could limit the program’s progression. Kendall says the service is doing early development work on some programs to provide an option for procurement if additional money becomes available.