USAF KC-Y Tanker Competition
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Then again, I said something similar shortly before the MAX MCAS hit the fan
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However, in March the Air Force shifted course on its future tanker modernization effort. Top leaders announced plans to speed up the acquisition of its most advanced future tanker, which was redubbed NGAS, to the mid- to late-2030s, and to cut in half the number of interim tankers it would buy.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://theaviationist.com/2024/05/1...ker-rendering/
Skunk Works Releases New KC-Z Stealth Tanker Rendering
Lockheed Martin’s highly secretive Skunk Works division released a rendering of a notional stealth tanker meant for the Next-Generation Air Refueling System program, also known as KC-Z, which aims to replace KC-46 and KC-135 tankers in the 2030s. The tanker, which appears smaller than the types it will replace, is shown refueling an F-35A with the flying boom system.
The aircraft in the rendering, first published by the Aviation Week, appears to be based on a rather large lambda wing with canted twin tails. The engines, possibly two, are buried in the fuselage, with the air inlets under the wing’s root (also called “armpit” inlets) and possibly flat nozzles in the rear.
While the design in the rendering is notional (Lockheed Martin released another completely different rendering last year), it is interesting to notice that the concept of low observability is also making its way into the high value air assets. However, similarly too what we mentioned many times for the Next Generation Air Dominance program, the renderings might not be representative of the real designs being developed.
Last year, the U.S. Air Force released a request for information to the industry for a new tanker capable of surviving in contested airspace, mention the service is interested in innovative solutions in all size and performance classes that might address the stressing mission requirements. The service has later started an analysis of alternatives.……..
Skunk Works Releases New KC-Z Stealth Tanker Rendering
Lockheed Martin’s highly secretive Skunk Works division released a rendering of a notional stealth tanker meant for the Next-Generation Air Refueling System program, also known as KC-Z, which aims to replace KC-46 and KC-135 tankers in the 2030s. The tanker, which appears smaller than the types it will replace, is shown refueling an F-35A with the flying boom system.
The aircraft in the rendering, first published by the Aviation Week, appears to be based on a rather large lambda wing with canted twin tails. The engines, possibly two, are buried in the fuselage, with the air inlets under the wing’s root (also called “armpit” inlets) and possibly flat nozzles in the rear.
While the design in the rendering is notional (Lockheed Martin released another completely different rendering last year), it is interesting to notice that the concept of low observability is also making its way into the high value air assets. However, similarly too what we mentioned many times for the Next Generation Air Dominance program, the renderings might not be representative of the real designs being developed.
Last year, the U.S. Air Force released a request for information to the industry for a new tanker capable of surviving in contested airspace, mention the service is interested in innovative solutions in all size and performance classes that might address the stressing mission requirements. The service has later started an analysis of alternatives.……..
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A certain proportion of tankers will have to at least attempt to reduce detectability because projecting power across the pacific is going to mean that they'll have to be closer to the combat aircraft - and the enemy will obviously make efforts to down the tankers. The KC46 fleet is looking at using AI support for 1 or 2 crew full operation - suggesting that either there will be a need for many more tankers in the sky or that there are too few crew in the system or coming down the line - obviously in a war scenario these numbers could well be augmented by civ type rated aircrew after all the reserves are recalled.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Ot the best design I’ve seen - there was one published but vanished a few years ago….
Similar pressurised cockpit section to the above with a stealthy wing which flowed into a twin boom rear with inward canted fins, each boom carrying a boom allowing simultaneous refuelling of 2 receivers.
Legend said the booms were composite with integral fuel tanks.
Similar pressurised cockpit section to the above with a stealthy wing which flowed into a twin boom rear with inward canted fins, each boom carrying a boom allowing simultaneous refuelling of 2 receivers.
Legend said the booms were composite with integral fuel tanks.
Given that the USA can't mod a 1970's commercial aircraft design as a tanker perhaps these futuristic designs are a little..... optimistic?
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From the relative sizes of F-35 and KC-ZZZ, it doesn't look as though the latter will have much fuel to offload.
One might also assume exactly the kind of bow tie signature that China's A2/AD capabilities are optimised against?
One might also assume exactly the kind of bow tie signature that China's A2/AD capabilities are optimised against?
