may not have enough effective range without refueling to function well in likely future wars.
Hmm. Since current doctrine includes the use of air to air refueling, and has for about 50 years, I am not sure what this statement is intended to convey. My guess is that the seeds are being sown to fund a more robust organic air to air refueling capability, which has been a bit of a running sore since the KA-6 family of tankers were retired. (Memory is not helping, but I think the S-3B did refueling for some years ... ) ...