Lockheed Martin Drops Out of Air Force 'Bridge Tanker' Competition

Its LMXT strategic aerial refueling tanker had been expected to take on Boeing's KC-46 as a contender for an interim update under the KC-135 fleet recapitalization program.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, October 23, 2023 at 01:56 PM ET

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LMXT Strategic Tanker [Credit: Lockheed Martin]

Key Takeaways:

Lockheed Martin has withdrawn from the U.S. Air Force's "bridge tanker" program to instead focus on developing a next-generation air-refueling system (NGAS) concept.
The company's LMXT strategic aerial refueling tanker, based on an Airbus A330, was its planned entry for the bridge tanker competition.
Airbus remains committed to bidding for the U.S. Air Force's KC-135 fleet recapitalization program with its A330 U.S.-MRTT.
The "bridge tanker" program aims to acquire at least 75 interim refueling aircraft before the next-generation tanker comes online in the 2040s.

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Lockheed Martin is bowing out of competing for the U.S. Air Force’s “bridge tanker” program and instead focusing on developing a next generation air-refueling system (NGAS) concept, the company announced Monday.

The manufacturer’s LMXT strategic aerial refueling tanker, unveiled in 2021 and based on an Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, had been expected to take on Boeing KC-46 Pegasus as a stopgap refueling option for the Air Force in seeking an update for its aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet.