Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works has recently released a rendering of a new stealth aerial refueling tanker designed to support advanced fighter jets in contested environments, such as a potential conflict with China. This concept is part of the Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS), or KC-Z program, which seeks to replace the aging fleets of KC-46 and KC-135 tankers by the 2030s.
The proposed tanker, depicted refueling an F-35A using a flying boom system, features a significantly stealthy design aimed at reducing its radar signature to survive in hostile airspace. The design includes a broad platform with large clipped lambda wings and two small, outwardly canted vertical tails. The aircraft also shows a novel placement of engines integrated deep within the fuselage and advanced air intakes designed to minimize radar exposure.
This next-generation tanker is envisioned to operate autonomously without a boom operator, indicating a shift towards more automated systems in military aircraft. The concept also includes a refueling port on top, suggesting that the tanker itself could be refueled mid-air, extending its range for prolonged missions.
#LockheedMartin‘s Skunk Works has released the first image of it’s futuristic Stealth Tanker Aircraft designed to refuel #US & allied warplanes. pic.twitter.com/egJIsPaIQQ
— News IADN (@NewsIADN) May 14, 2024
The U.S. Air Force has expressed the need for a tanker capable of operating near frontlines to support stealth fighters actively engaged in high-threat environments. The NGAS is not merely about creating a single aircraft but developing a comprehensive system that includes enhanced survivability, connectivity, and possibly even command and control capabilities.
General Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, emphasized that the NGAS would be a system of systems, tailored to meet diverse mission requirements without being constrained to a one-size-fits-all model. This approach reflects a broader strategic vision to ensure U.S. air operations can withstand advanced threats, particularly from countries like China.
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