With tanker fleet under pressure, USAF speeds KC-46 upgrades
Air Force wants higher availability rates as aging KC-135s remain in service and future refueling plans stay under debate
KC-Z4
USAF plans to replace C-5 and C-17 with 274 new cargo planes by 2038
Air Force strategy calls for gradual transition to the Next-Generation Airlifter, with operational start expected in 2041
KC-Z4, the aircraft that could solve the USAF's aerial refueling problem
A blended-wing fuselage aircraft developed by startup JetZero would be capable of refueling six times more than a KC-46, but production challenges remain in making it a reality