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KF-21 Refueling for the first time from a tanker

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

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Mar 19, 2024
CF-5 refuels from a 707 tanker.

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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jan 9, 2024
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

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.

Private Aerial Refueling Tankers Are Now Gassing Up USAF Fighters

By Oliver Parken
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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
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.

Lockheed Bails On KC-135 Tanker Replacement Competition

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 23, 2023
KC-10 departs PSAB

KC-10 Extender Has Flown Its Last Combat Mission

By Thomas Newdick
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.

KC-135 Tankers Being Eyed For Drone Launcher Role

By Joseph Trevithick
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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 16, 2023
TANK AT ARMY-2023

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

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Aug 14, 2023
Next generation airlift family of systems

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

By Thomas Newdick
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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 13, 2023
100 years aerial refueling

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

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 27, 2023
LMXT_refueling F-35

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

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 7, 2023
A310 MRTT autonomously controls and guides a DT-25 drone in flight

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

By Emma Helfrich, Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Mar 31, 2023
KC-135 stratotanker

KC-135 Tankers To Finally Get Fuel-Saving Winglets

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Mar 28, 2023
C-130 no markings AMC

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

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Mar 4, 2023
KC-46 Airfield Marking Pattern

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

By Emma Helfrich
Posted on Mar 4, 2023
T-62M Russia New Optical Sight

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

By Stetson Payne
Posted on Feb 26, 2023
Air Force Says It Needs More Survivable Tankers By 2040

Air Force Says It Needs More Survivable Tankers By 2040

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Feb 1, 2023
Boeing stealth transport tanker

Stealthy Tanker-Transport Aircraft Concept Unveiled By Boeing

By Joseph Trevithick
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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jan 19, 2023
KC-46 Pegasus Tanker Flies With A Single Pilot At The Controls

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 29, 2022
NGAD tanker lockheed

New Next Generation Air Dominance ‘Fighter’ Renderings From Lockheed

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Oct 26, 2022
KC-390 Millennium tanker

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

By Emma Helfrich, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Sep 21, 2022
KC-135 pacific B-1b

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 14, 2022
KC-46 Tanker Spotted With Puzzling Whitewashed Belly (Updated)

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 26, 2022
Boom KC46 Landing

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

By Emma Helfrich
Posted on Aug 24, 2022
NATO MRTT emergency landing

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

By Howard Altman
Posted on Aug 2, 2022
Blended Wing Body

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

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 22, 2022
KC-46 single pilot operations

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 18, 2022
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
KC-46-refuels-B-2

Tankers Charging Drones With Lasers The Focus Of New DARPA Program

By Thomas Newdick
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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 5, 2022
A US Air Force KC-135R aerial refueling tanker comes in to land.

KC-135R Tanker Autopilots Still Suffering From Dangerous Anomalies

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on May 13, 2022
KC-46 longest flight

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

By Oliver Parken
Posted on May 10, 2022
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
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

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Feb 16, 2022
Air Force Restricts Use Of Autopilot On Upgraded KC-135 Tankers Again

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Feb 11, 2022
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)

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Feb 1, 2022
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

By Joseph Trevithick
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
Updated on Dec 15, 2021
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

By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Oct 8, 2021
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
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
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
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

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Sep 20, 2021
Lockheed Is Bringing Back The Airbus A330 Tanker To Compete Against Boeing

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

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Sep 17, 2021
Navy’s MQ-25 Tanker Drone Refuels F-35C Stealth Fighter

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

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Sep 15, 2021
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)

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Aug 14, 2021
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 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

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 17, 2021
The Navy’s Tanker Drone Makes History By Refueling A Manned Aircraft For The First Time (Updated)

The Navy’s Tanker Drone Makes History By Refueling A Manned Aircraft For The First Time (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Jun 8, 2021
KC-46A’s Long-Troubled Vision System Can’t Even Reliably Show The End Of The Refueling Boom

KC-46A’s Long-Troubled Vision System Can’t Even Reliably Show The End Of The Refueling Boom

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 27, 2021
It’s Official: KC-46 Tankers And More F-35s For Israel, But No Advanced F-15s For Now

It’s Official: KC-46 Tankers And More F-35s For Israel, But No Advanced F-15s For Now

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on May 11, 2021
The Mighty Boeing 747 Supertanker May Have Fought Its Last Fire

The Mighty Boeing 747 Supertanker May Have Fought Its Last Fire

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Apr 24, 2021
KC-135 Tanker Tested With Loyal Wingman Drone

KC-135 Tanker Tested With Loyal Wingman Drone

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Apr 15, 2021
Air Force Says KC-46 Is A “Lemon” That It’s Trying To Make Lemonade Out Of

Air Force Says KC-46 Is A “Lemon” That It’s Trying To Make Lemonade Out Of

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Feb 2, 2021
F-117s Cleared To Refuel From All KC-135s As “Retired” Stealth Jets Expand Operations

F-117s Cleared To Refuel From All KC-135s As “Retired” Stealth Jets Expand Operations

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Jan 30, 2021
F-35s, F-16 Aggressors, KC-135 Tankers Put On Impressive “Elephant Walk” In Alaska

F-35s, F-16 Aggressors, KC-135 Tankers Put On Impressive “Elephant Walk” In Alaska

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Dec 22, 2020
Navy Creates New Warrant Officer Role To Operate Its Carrier-Based Tanker Drones

Navy Creates New Warrant Officer Role To Operate Its Carrier-Based Tanker Drones

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Dec 10, 2020
A Dozen Of The Most Unusual Variants Of The Ubiquitous KC-135 Family Of Aircraft

A Dozen Of The Most Unusual Variants Of The Ubiquitous KC-135 Family Of Aircraft

By Robert Hopkins
Updated on Nov 27, 2020