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Air Force

USAF May Finalize ‘Gapfiller’ Tanker Strategy This Summer

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

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USAF May Finalize ‘Gapfiller’ Tanker Strategy This Summer

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kyle Baker, 22nd Operations Support Squadron chief of tactics, pilots a KC-135 Stratotanker during the EXPLODEO exercise on Feb. 28, over Kansas (U.S. Air Force Photo)

This summer, the U.S. may finalize an acquisition strategy for a "gapfiller" tanker to fill a five-year hiatus between the delivery of the 179th and final Boeing [BA] KC-46A Pegasus and the fielding of the first Next Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS). Boeing and Airbus are in the running for that gapfiller tanker--Airbus with an A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. Last October, Lockheed Martin said it had chosen not to respond to an Air Force Request for Information (RFI) on the…

Congress

SASC Cites Concern With Army’s sUAS Approach, Seeks Info On Plans To Scale Fielding

Senate defense authorizers are seeking more info from the Army on its plans for scaling and deploying small drone capabilities citing concern with the service’s current “fragmented and insufficient” approach. […]

SASC Bill Would Raise Amphib Requirement To 33 Ships

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) fiscal year 2027 defense policy bill adds new provisions that would raise the Navy and Marine Corps’ minimum requirement for amphibious warships and extend […]

Army

Army Plans To Initiate ISV-Heavy Competition Later This Year, Official Says

The Army is planning to initiate its competition to build the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)-Heavy in the fourth quarter of this year, a senior acquisition official has said. Jesse Tolleson, […]

Senate Authorization Bill Restricts Building Navy Warships Overseas With Limited Exception For Auxiliaries

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the FY 2027 defense policy bill looks to cut the ability for the Trump administration to buy foreign-made warships, but still allow […]