Tankers

Latest in Tankers

Private aerospace firm Metrea has bought France's entire fleet of KC-135 tanker in a major new bet on contractor aerial refueling services.

All Of France’s KC-135 Tankers Bought By Private Aerial Refueling Company Metrea All Of France’s KC-135 Tankers Bought By Private Aerial Refueling Company Metrea

By Joseph Trevithick

Jul 10 7:27 PM EDT

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has outlined a critical need to give its fleets new counter-drone defenses they can use wherever they go.

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, Joseph Trevithick

Jun 29 3:55 PM EDT

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has released a new rendering of a stealth tanker concept amid uncertainty about the U.S. Air Force's future tanker plans.

New Skunk Works Stealthy Tanker Concept Unveiled New Skunk Works Stealthy Tanker Concept Unveiled

By Joseph Trevithick

May 13 5:55 PM EDT

Newly-painted Kazakhstan Air Force A400M pre-delivery

Paint Job On Kazakhstan’s New A400M Looks Like A ‘Soviet’ Plane In A Bond Film Paint Job On Kazakhstan’s New A400M Looks Like A ‘Soviet’ Plane In A Bond Film

By Oliver Parken

Apr 15 7:00 PM EDT

The USAF wants $1.5B in spare parts it doesn't have in its budget.

Hundreds Of Air Force Aircraft Risk Grounding Without Extra $1.5B Spare Parts Infusion Hundreds Of Air Force Aircraft Risk Grounding Without Extra $1.5B Spare Parts Infusion

By Joseph Trevithick

Mar 28 5:36 PM EDT

KF-21 Refueling for the first time from a tanker

South Korea’s KF-21 Next Generation Fighter Begins Tanker Trials South Korea’s KF-21 Next Generation Fighter Begins Tanker Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Mar 19 4:06 PM EDT

CF-5 refuels from a 707 tanker.

F-5 Pilot’s Double Engine Flameout While Refueling Over The Atlantic F-5 Pilot’s Double Engine Flameout While Refueling Over The Atlantic

By Dan McWilliams

Mar 5 4:18 PM EST

The US Air Force will test new autonomous capabilities for its KC-135s intended, at least initially, to help reduce operator workload. The service is also still planning to conduct a test of the KC-135 as an aerial launching platform for drones.

Tests Planned For KC-135s That Can Fly Themselves, Act As Drone Motherships Tests Planned For KC-135s That Can Fly Themselves, Act As Drone Motherships

By Joseph Trevithick

Feb 16 12:17 PM EST

Metrea Aerospace became the first to use a private-owned tanker to refuel U.S. aircraft tactical jets when one of its KC-135s topped-up a pair of A-10 Warthog ground attack jets last year.

A-10 Warthogs Have Refueled From A Contractor’s KC-135 Tanker A-10 Warthogs Have Refueled From A Contractor’s KC-135 Tanker

By Joseph Trevithick

Jan 9 2:15 PM EST

Beale AFB executes an elephant walk as the U-2's service approaches its end.

U-2 Dragon Lady Spy Planes Execute A Bittersweet Elephant Walk U-2 Dragon Lady Spy Planes Execute A Bittersweet Elephant Walk

By Tyler Rogoway

Jan 7 4:46 PM EST

A commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft refuels a U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcon from the 51st Fighter Wing, enroute Commando Sling 23 at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, November 6, 2023.

Private Aerial Refueling Tankers Are Now Gassing Up USAF Fighters Private Aerial Refueling Tankers Are Now Gassing Up USAF Fighters

By Oliver Parken

Nov 14 7:45 PM EST

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 tail number 58-0109 with the nickname “Phantom 109” assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard is in front of the main hangar in Sioux City, Iowa on October 16, 2021. Crew Chiefs recently added nose art to the aircraft depicting a phantom riding along on the aircraft boom.

“The Phantom” Is The Air Force’s Haunted KC-135 Tanker… Almost “The Phantom” Is The Air Force’s Haunted KC-135 Tanker… Almost

By Thomas Newdick

Oct 31 2:35 PM EDT

Lockheed Martin says it no longer plans to compete for a contract to replace a portion of the Air Force's KC-135 tanker fleet.

Lockheed Bails On KC-135 Tanker Replacement Competition Lockheed Bails On KC-135 Tanker Replacement Competition

By Joseph Trevithick

Oct 23 6:25 PM EDT

KC-10 departs PSAB

KC-10 Extender Has Flown Its Last Combat Mission KC-10 Extender Has Flown Its Last Combat Mission

By Thomas Newdick

Oct 5 2:13 PM EDT

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command is still pushing ahead with an idea to turn its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers into drone motherships.

KC-135 Tankers Being Eyed For Drone Launcher Role KC-135 Tankers Being Eyed For Drone Launcher Role

By Joseph Trevithick

Sep 11 7:19 PM EDT

The US Air Force has selected JetZero to design and build a demonstrator aircraft with a blended wing body, or BWB, configuration that could serve as the basis for future aerial refueling tankers and cargo planes.

Blended Wing Body Demonstrator Jet Contract Awarded By Air Force (Updated) Blended Wing Body Demonstrator Jet Contract Awarded By Air Force (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Aug 16 4:20 PM EDT