:

Air Force

Air Force Considering Possible Autonomous, Stealth Attributes for Future Tanker

Frank Wolfe

Wednesday, November 4th, 2020

SHARE:

Air Force Considering Possible Autonomous, Stealth Attributes for Future Tanker

A KC-46 refuels the B-2 for the first time during developmental flight test over Edwards AFB, Calif. and the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Apr. 23, 2019 (U.S. Air Force Photo)

The U.S. Air Force continues to study what attributes its future KC-Z tanker should have, as the service tries to resolve six Category 1 deficiencies on its Boeing [BA] KC-46A Pegasus tankers--design and product quality faults that raise the possibility that the service may not field all planned KC-46As by the scheduled date of 2029 and may have to move toward a "bridge tanker" sooner. If the Air Force meets its 2029 fielding plan, "there will be 179 KC-46s, and…

Space

Space Force Eyes Nearly $1.5 Billion for Space Data Network Backbone in Future Reconciliation Bill

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) plans to request nearly $1.5 billion for the Space Data Network (SDN) Backbone in a future fiscal 2027 reconciliation bill. Last week, Space Force’s Space […]

Congress

Warren And Sheehy Renew Call for “Right to Repair” In NDAA

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Timothy Sheehy (R-Mont.), two members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), are renewing their call for “Right to Repair” language in the National […]

HASC Looks To Restrict USV Deliveries Without Navy CONOPS And Strategy

The House Armed Services Committee’s (HASC) fiscal year 2027 defense policy draft bill aims to restrict the Navy’s use of unmanned surface vessels (USV) until it decides on key factors […]

Congress

Gaps In Army’s Tactical Counter-Drone Capabilities Remain Concern Of HASC

A draft defense policy bill released this week says the Army is fielding counter-drone capabilities for defense of fixed sites and maneuver forces but suggests that troops at the lowest […]