US Air Force Weighs Cancelling KC-135 Stratotanker Replacement In Favor Of Next-Gen Tanker

The United States Air Force (USAF) is reconsidering its interim tanker acquisition as it seeks to expedite the development of a next-generation airframe. This would mean continuing to operate more KC-135 Stratotankers than planned, depending on the progress of its Next Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) concept.

USAF could cancel interim tanker plan

As reported by Air & Space Forces magazine, the Air Force is looking to get its next-generation NGAS tanker into service ahead of schedule, which could mean abandoning its plan to acquire interim tankers. In a press briefing this week, Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said that USAF is now prioritizing its pursuit of a next-generation tanker, likely to enter service sometime in the mid-2030s.

A U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus operates beside a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon

Photo: USAF

However, USAF is now conducting an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) to its NGAS concept, which could alter the program’s timeline. If any major program changes are made, this could delay the plane’s entry to service and necessitate the purchase of more interim tankers.

Congress has mandated that the Air Force maintains a minimum of 466 air refueling aircraft. The Air Force has said it expects to have around 350 KC-135s in its inventory for the current financial year, as well as almost 120 KC-46s. The plan was to replace around 15 KC-135s each year through 2029, helping the Air Force keep enough tankers in service while it developed NGAS. In a press briefing this week, Hunter said,

“We think there’s going to be some period, between when the current contract ends and when we’re truly into NGAS, where we’re going to need to buy something to cover down continued tanker production.”

The KC-135 Stratotanker first entered service in 1957, and many planes in the Air Force fleet are approaching 60 years old or more. USAF has begun replacing some of the older airframes with the KC-46 Pegasus – a Boeing-made tanker based on the 767 airframe – and has also been retiring its aging KC-10 Extender fleet, with the final plane leaving the fleet this month after four decades of service.

KC-135 refueling an F-14

Photo: USAF

Were the Air Force to proceed with an interim tanker buy, analysts expect it to go for the KC-46 with around 75 additional airframes, which would keep deliveries ticking over until the anticipated debut of NGAS. Its current deal with Boeing covers the delivery of 184 KC-46s through 2029.

About NGAS

The USAF is in the early stages of developing its Next Generation Air-Refueling System since announcing the program two years ago. However, it is reconsidering many aspects of the design in light of changing requirements. Its Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program – which will develop a sixth-generation fighter complete with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone wingmen – is also undergoing a review as costs balloon.

In order to compete with next-generation technology deployed by future adversaries, the Next Generation Air-Refueling System will boast more advanced systems, which will likely include a degree of stealth and unmanned capacity.

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