Stratotanker

Autonomous flight developer says it will begin flying the converted Boeing 707s with Merlin Pilot, an AI-driven robotic flight system, in 2025.

In-flight demonstrations will take place in the next year, starting with a series of basic air refueling operations, the company said.

Six fighter squadrons have deployed to the Middle East since October 7 as part of U.S. deterrence efforts in the region.

Sunday’s drill was the first joint aerial exercise of its kind and occurred as a response to nuclear threats by North Korea.

The record-breaking sortie was an endurance test of the U.S. Air Force tanker that’s replacing the aging KC-135 fleet.

This KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft became the first to refuel three aircraft at once during an emergency operation in 1967 in the Gulf of Tonkin.