Boeing KC-135

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

By Ben Goldstein
Reliable Robotics has completed a road map that outlines how KC-135 Stratotankers can be automated.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
PACAF officials decided that the situation demanded some operational creativity.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
A series of proposed upgrades, including manually foldable winglets, could slash the fuel consumption of the four-engine KC-135 tanker by 12-14%.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The prospect of scaling up the use of contracted refueling services could hinder Air Mobility Command’s ability to complete proficiency and combat training.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Steve Trimble
Air Mobility Command plans to complete a year-long analysis in the hopes of resolving several fundamental questions about the U.S. Air Force’s next tanker.
Multi-Mission Aircraft