Aerial Refueling

Companies aim to offer a multi-mission aircraft for U.S. and allied forces.

Industry partners have until late October to provide their input.

Move comes after testing of fleet upgrade to eight-blade composite propeller system.

The unmanned carrier-based refueling drone will now go through ‘rigorous airframe integrity evaluation,’ the company said.

The air-to-air refueler was participating in the ongoing ‘Red Flag’ combat training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

A Republic of Singapore Air Force A330 conducted the air-to-air refueling as part of bilateral training.

The next-gen aerial refuelers are projected to start arriving in 2029.

A RAAF KC-30A conducted air-to-air clearance trials with U.S. Air Force RC-135 and A-10C Thunderbolt II airframes.

During the exercise, a C-5M Super Galaxy topped off a KC-10 Extender with 23,500 pounds of fuel in about 30 minutes.

An F-16 was refueled during a proof-of-concept demonstration while en route from Osan Air Base, South Korea, to Singapore.