Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Senators press Transcom on tanker readiness as KC-135 ages, KC-46 troubles continue; blended-wing body cited as potential long-term gain
Summary
Lawmakers questioned Transcom about air refueling capacity for future contested fights, noting the advanced age of KC-135s and ongoing problems with KC-46 deliveries; some senators urged continued investment in next-generation designs including a blended-wing-body tanker concept.
Senators used the hearing to press Transcom on air refueling capacity, calling out an aging KC-135 fleet, operational issues with the KC-46 program and potential benefits of next-generation tanker concepts.
Why it matters: A reliable tanker fleet is essential for long-range air operations and power projection; lawmakers said modernization is critical to sustain bomber, fighter and surveillance operations in contested environments.
Chairman Sullivan and other…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
