Tankers (Page 2)

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

The U.S. Air Force recently awarded contracts to two companies for work on SHARK 'buddy store' podded aerial refueling systems able to work with aircraft that use the boom method to get gas in flight.

Air

Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

KC-46 and F-15E had an incident resulting in the loss of the tanker's boom

Air

Audio Reveals Details Of KC-46 And F-15E Refueling Incident That Broke The Tanker’s Boom Off Audio Reveals Details Of KC-46 And F-15E Refueling Incident That Broke The Tanker’s Boom Off

Posted on Aug 23, 2024

A brief video clip of a U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye linking up with an Air Force HC-130J tanker somewhere over in the Middle East calls attention to how this aircraft has become even more of a force multiplier with the added ability to refuel in flight.

Air

E-2D Refueling From HC-130 Over Middle East Highlights The Hawkeye’s Potential E-2D Refueling From HC-130 Over Middle East Highlights The Hawkeye’s Potential

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

Three German Eurofighter EF2000s have completed a record-breaking endurance flight for the multirole fighter. Remaining in the air for a total of 10 hours 31 minutes, the trio of combat aircraft flew from Japan to Hawaii today, supported by aerial refueling tankers that included KC-135 Stratotankers operated by private aerospace firm Metrea, a contractor-owned and operated aerial refueling business that recently acquired of 14 KC-135s from the French Air and Space Force.

Air

German Eurofighters Make Record-Breaking Flight With Help From Private Aerial Refueling Company German Eurofighters Make Record-Breaking Flight With Help From Private Aerial Refueling Company

Posted on Jul 27, 2024

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

Air

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

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

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.

Air

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

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

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.

Air

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

Posted on May 13, 2024

Newly-painted Kazakhstan Air Force A400M pre-delivery

Air

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

Posted on Apr 15, 2024

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

Air

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

Posted on Mar 28, 2024

KF-21 Refueling for the first time from a tanker

Air

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

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

Air

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

Posted on Mar 5, 2024

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.

Air

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

Posted on Feb 16, 2024

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.

Air

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

Posted on Jan 9, 2024

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

Air

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

Posted on Jan 7, 2024

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.

Air

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

Posted on Nov 15, 2023

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.

Air

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

Posted on Oct 31, 2023

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.

Air

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

Posted on Oct 23, 2023

Air

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

Posted on Oct 5, 2023

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.

Air

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

Posted on Sep 11, 2023

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.

Air

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

Posted on Aug 16, 2023

‘Cope Cages’ Go Mainstream At Russia’s Arms Bazaar ‘Cope Cages’ Go Mainstream At Russia’s Arms Bazaar

Posted on Aug 14, 2023

Next generation airlift family of systems

Air

New Airlifters Of All Sizes May Be Needed For Future China Fight New Airlifters Of All Sizes May Be Needed For Future China Fight

Posted on Jul 24, 2023

US Air Force aircraft have been refueled by private tanker planes for the first time ever.

Private Aerial Refueling Tanker Has Gassed Up An Air Force Plane For The First Time Private Aerial Refueling Tanker Has Gassed Up An Air Force Plane For The First Time

Posted on Jul 13, 2023

Air

Century Of Aerial Refueling Celebrated By Tanker Flyovers Across U.S. Century Of Aerial Refueling Celebrated By Tanker Flyovers Across U.S.

Posted on Jun 27, 2023

Air

Lockheed No Longer Looking To Offer Airbus A330 Tanker On Contract Basis Lockheed No Longer Looking To Offer Airbus A330 Tanker On Contract Basis

Posted on Jun 7, 2023

A310 MRTT autonomously controls and guides a DT-25 drone in flight

Air

Airbus’s Drone Aerial Refueling Demo Is A Glimpse Of Air Combat Future Airbus’s Drone Aerial Refueling Demo Is A Glimpse Of Air Combat Future

By Emma Helfrich, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 31, 2023

Air

KC-135 Tankers To Finally Get Fuel-Saving Winglets KC-135 Tankers To Finally Get Fuel-Saving Winglets

Posted on Mar 28, 2023

Air

Air Mobility Command’s Fleet Of Tankers, Cargo Planes Go Incognito Air Mobility Command’s Fleet Of Tankers, Cargo Planes Go Incognito

Posted on Mar 4, 2023

Air

KC-46 Expands Its Austere Airfield Capabilities, Could Include Roadways In Future KC-46 Expands Its Austere Airfield Capabilities, Could Include Roadways In Future

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on Mar 4, 2023

Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Tanks Reverting To Cold War Thermal Sights Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Tanks Reverting To Cold War Thermal Sights

By Stetson Payne

Posted on Feb 26, 2023

Air

Air Force Says It Needs More Survivable Tankers By 2040 Air Force Says It Needs More Survivable Tankers By 2040

Posted on Feb 1, 2023

Air

Stealthy Tanker-Transport Aircraft Concept Unveiled By Boeing Stealthy Tanker-Transport Aircraft Concept Unveiled By Boeing

Posted on Jan 26, 2023

New Nuke-Sniffing Jet Flies Off South America On First International Mission New Nuke-Sniffing Jet Flies Off South America On First International Mission

Posted on Jan 19, 2023

Air

KC-46 Pegasus Tanker Flies With A Single Pilot At The Controls KC-46 Pegasus Tanker Flies With A Single Pilot At The Controls

Posted on Oct 29, 2022

Air

New Next Generation Air Dominance ‘Fighter’ Renderings From Lockheed New Next Generation Air Dominance ‘Fighter’ Renderings From Lockheed

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 26, 2022

Air

KC-390 With A Boom Could Be The Agile Tanker The Air Force Needs KC-390 With A Boom Could Be The Agile Tanker The Air Force Needs

By Emma Helfrich, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 21, 2022

Air

KC-135 Boom-Down Emergency Landing Was Result Of Incident With B-1 KC-135 Boom-Down Emergency Landing Was Result Of Incident With B-1

Posted on Sep 14, 2022

Air

KC-46 Tanker Spotted With Puzzling Whitewashed Belly (Updated) KC-46 Tanker Spotted With Puzzling Whitewashed Belly (Updated)

Posted on Aug 26, 2022

Air

KC-46 Tanker Made Emergency Landing With Its Boom Deployed (Updated) KC-46 Tanker Made Emergency Landing With Its Boom Deployed (Updated)

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on Aug 24, 2022

Watch This NATO Tanker Make A Landing With A Dangling Refueling Hose Watch This NATO Tanker Make A Landing With A Dangling Refueling Hose

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 2, 2022

Air

Air Force Wants Blended Wing-Body Aircraft Demonstrator Flying By 2026 Air Force Wants Blended Wing-Body Aircraft Demonstrator Flying By 2026

Posted on Jul 22, 2022

Air

Single Pilot KC-46 Tanker Operations Eyed By Air Force For Major Conflicts Single Pilot KC-46 Tanker Operations Eyed By Air Force For Major Conflicts

Posted on Jul 18, 2022

Air

Air Force’s First ‘New’ Constant Phoenix Nuke-Sniffing Jet Has Flown Air Force’s First ‘New’ Constant Phoenix Nuke-Sniffing Jet Has Flown

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on Jun 30, 2022

Air

Tankers Charging Drones With Lasers The Focus Of New DARPA Program Tankers Charging Drones With Lasers The Focus Of New DARPA Program

Posted on Jun 19, 2022

KC-46A aircraft assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Wing perform an elephant walk formation on the runway at Pease Air National Guard Base, Sept. 8, 2021.

Air

KC-46 Tanker’s Recent “97 Percent” Milestone Isn’t The Whole Story KC-46 Tanker’s Recent “97 Percent” Milestone Isn’t The Whole Story

Posted on Jun 5, 2022

A US Air Force KC-135R aerial refueling tanker comes in to land.

Air

KC-135R Tanker Autopilots Still Suffering From Dangerous Anomalies KC-135R Tanker Autopilots Still Suffering From Dangerous Anomalies

Posted on May 13, 2022

Air

KC-46 Crew Flies Air Mobility Command’s Longest Flight Ever KC-46 Crew Flies Air Mobility Command’s Longest Flight Ever

Posted on May 10, 2022

Air

E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Dwarfs A KC-46 In These Stunning Refueling Shots E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Dwarfs A KC-46 In These Stunning Refueling Shots

By Emma Helfrich, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 29, 2022

Air

KC-46 Tanker Shows It Can Rapidly Unload Tons Of Fuel To Thirsty Fighters At Austere Airstrips KC-46 Tanker Shows It Can Rapidly Unload Tons Of Fuel To Thirsty Fighters At Austere Airstrips

Updated on Feb 16, 2022

Air

Air Force Restricts Use Of Autopilot On Upgraded KC-135 Tankers Again Air Force Restricts Use Of Autopilot On Upgraded KC-135 Tankers Again

Posted on Feb 11, 2022

Air

Lockheed’s Plan To Bring Its Version Of The Airbus A330 Tanker To America (Updated) Lockheed’s Plan To Bring Its Version Of The Airbus A330 Tanker To America (Updated)

Updated on Feb 1, 2022

Air

Plan To Fix Troubled KC-46 Tanker Risks Making Same Mistakes New Report Says Plan To Fix Troubled KC-46 Tanker Risks Making Same Mistakes New Report Says

Updated on Jan 28, 2022

Israel’s Request To Speed Delivery Of KC-46 Tankers Critical For Striking Iran Denied Israel’s Request To Speed Delivery Of KC-46 Tankers Critical For Striking Iran Denied

By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 15, 2021

Air

Air Force Stumped By Sudden Pitch Down Events Reported On Upgraded KC-135 Tankers Air Force Stumped By Sudden Pitch Down Events Reported On Upgraded KC-135 Tankers

Updated on Oct 8, 2021

Air

20 KC-135s Were Rapidly Launched Out Of Fairchild AFB This Morning (Updated) 20 KC-135s Were Rapidly Launched Out Of Fairchild AFB This Morning (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Sep 29, 2021

Air

A Plastic Cap In A KC-46’s Fuel Valve Generates More Turbulence For The Troubled Tanker A Plastic Cap In A KC-46’s Fuel Valve Generates More Turbulence For The Troubled Tanker

By Brian O’Rourke and Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 28, 2021

Air

RC-135 Now Flying With Donor KC-135 Engine Cover After Frightening Crosswind Landing Mishap RC-135 Now Flying With Donor KC-135 Engine Cover After Frightening Crosswind Landing Mishap

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Sep 23, 2021

Air

The Air Force Blew It When It Decided Not To Give Its KC-135s Winglets 40 Years Ago The Air Force Blew It When It Decided Not To Give Its KC-135s Winglets 40 Years Ago

Updated on Sep 20, 2021

Air

Lockheed Is Bringing Back The Airbus A330 Tanker To Compete Against Boeing Lockheed Is Bringing Back The Airbus A330 Tanker To Compete Against Boeing

Updated on Sep 17, 2021

Sea

Navy’s MQ-25 Tanker Drone Refuels F-35C Stealth Fighter Navy’s MQ-25 Tanker Drone Refuels F-35C Stealth Fighter

Updated on Sep 15, 2021

Air

Shadowy KC-135RT Special Ops Tankers Head Toward Afghanistan As Evacuation Airbridge Forms (Updated) Shadowy KC-135RT Special Ops Tankers Head Toward Afghanistan As Evacuation Airbridge Forms (Updated)

Updated on Aug 14, 2021

Air

The Last Airworthy S-3B Viking Is Set To Fly Off Into The Sunset The Last Airworthy S-3B Viking Is Set To Fly Off Into The Sunset

By Brett Tingley

Updated on Jul 9, 2021

Air

Air Force Plans To Buy A New Tanker As Problems Persist With The One It’s Already Buying Air Force Plans To Buy A New Tanker As Problems Persist With The One It’s Already Buying