Boeing KC-135

By Steve Trimble
Industry is being asked by the U.S. Air Force to submit ideas for a new countermeasure system that can defeat infrared-guided missiles and air vehicles.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Steve Trimble
The disclosure offers a rare glimpse into the secretive operational plans for the Air Force’s next-generation bomber.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
When Boeing delivers the last KC-46 ordered under the KC-X program in 2029, the average age of the remaining KC-135s will be 67 years old.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The Air Force no longer deems a stealthy successor to the Boeing KC-46 and KC-135 necessary for its modernization strategy.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Brian Everstine
The Senate passed the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 85-14.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force approved Merlin’s airworthiness plan to demonstrate parts of the Merlin Pilot autonomy suite in KC-135s.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The service’s Operational Energy office has outlined several programs aimed at increasing the efficiency of military aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
U.S. Air Force leaders say the service’s mobility fleet of tankers and airlifters need to become more connected to each other.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Brian Everstine
This year, that operational requirement comes as the U.S. Air Force also undergoes a large-scale overhaul of its force structure.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
The Air Force’s Air Mobility Command outlined its new expectation Nov. 1 during a presentation at the Airlift/Tanker Association conference.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Drag-reducing wake thruster; superconducting motor for Airbus; autonomy for Anthem flight deck; China’s large tiltrotor.
Emerging Technologies

By Graham Warwick
The partnership will initially target the retrofit of military fixed-wing aircraft for special missions.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
AFRL’s Global Lightning prototyping effort began in 2018.
Satellites

By Steve Trimble
The $3.6 million award from the Afwerx organization, which includes a matching contribution by Eclipse Ventures, will fund additional test flights.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force within the past several months appears to have increased its push to modernize its air refueling force.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
The service is weighing a quick start for its next tanker while pausing the sixth-generation fighter program.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
In late July, under a temporary military flight release from the Air Force, the companies conducted three test flights of a KC-135.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force hopes to speed up its next-generation tanker program with potential new-start authority in its fiscal 2026 budget.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Robert Wall, Brian Everstine
Can Airbus land an upgraded tanker in the U.S.?
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Brian Everstine
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.
Farnborough Airshow

By Steve Trimble
The tankers add to the four boom-equipped KC-135Rs that Metrea acquired from the Republic of Singapore Air Force in 2021.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Chen Chuanren
Taiwan’s Air Force is still evaluating aerial tanker options after 2023 visits from U.S. and French military delegations.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Graham Warwick
Autonomous flight system startup Merlin Labs has won a contract potentially worth $105 million to demonstrate a reduced aircrew capability for SOCOM C-130Js.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Graham Warwick
Joby Aviation has acquired the autonomy division of Xwing, a U.S. startup developing a modular autonomous flight system for aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Steve Trimble
Without any alternatives, the Air Force would have to depend on the KC-135 if a war occurs before 2028. Is it ready?
Multi-Mission Aircraft