Air Force Wants Stealthy Tanker

The Air Force says it wants stealthy tankers in the air by 2040 to improve its chances of pressing a battle in the far-flung locations that are often the site of such conflicts. One of its main constraints is that its tankers are sitting ducks for even the most rudimentary anti-aircraft munitions. The Air Force says the winner of the contract will offer an airplane that is "capable of surviving in contested airspace" as a primary requirement and that it will consider all shapes and sizes of aircraft.

It's also saying that it will look at "novel technologies or operational concepts," meaning drones will be part of the mix. Among the requirements will be that the new tankers can also receive fuel in the air so they can more efficiently supply the frontline aircraft. The Air Force says the threat from China is driving the move from traditional tankers because the People's Liberation Army has the ability to take out the lumbering airframes from a wide variety of weapons platforms at long range. In the ensuing 18 years, the Air Force is looking at upgrading the KC-46 as part of a "bridge tanker" program.