Air Force Faces Pressure to Cut Back KC-46 Tanker Fleet; That’s a Bad Idea
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By Defense Opinion |
08/06/2024
By Mark Mitchell, Defense Opinion Writer. Mark is a former Air Force test pilot.
A reliable and affordable air refueling capability is fundamental to accomplishing the U.S. Air Force’s critical role in defending the nation and its interests around the world.
As with all weapon systems in the Air Force inventory, keeping pace with changing threats and delivering needed capabilities while doing so at an affordable cost is an underlying principle. The Air Force selected the Boeing Co. KC-46 Pegasus in 2011 because of its modern capabilities to carry the air refueling mission load for decades to come.
The Air Force plans to buy 179 KC-46s, of which 84 have already been delivered. This roughly $4.9 billion contract is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. But the Air Force is facing pressure to rethink its tanker modernization strategy and cut back on new KC-46 contracts.
Cutting back would be a bad idea.
https://www.defensedaily.com/commentary/air-force-faces-pressure-to-cut-back-kc-46-tanker-fleet-thats-a-bad-idea/
