“Balance” to be struck between KC-46As and NGAS programme, says USAF chief of staff nominee
The USAF first contracted Boeing for KC-46A tankers in 2011. (Photo: USAF)
Gen Kenneth Wilsbach responded to questions about the US Air Force’s ongoing modernisation plans during his nomination hearing, emphasising the need for the current and future aerial refuelling platforms.
US chief of staff nominee Gen Wilsbach has emphasised the crucial need to continue the steady modernisation of the US Air Force (USAF)’s tanker fleet, as the country looks to speed up the progress of both its KC-46A acquisition and its Next Generation Air-Refuelling System (NGAS) programme.
Nominated by President Donald Trump to replace USAF chief of staff Gen David Allvin, who will retire in November 2025, Gen Wilsbach responded to questions from senators about the essential need to meet aerial refuelling demand.
According to the USAF, it currently has a fleet of 466 tankers which must be maintained to
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![AUSA 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partner to pursue US Army rotary training contract]()
AUSA 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partner to pursue US Army rotary training contract
Leonardo’s AW119T helicopter will be offered as a solution for the Flight School Next contract, an initiative which aims to overhaul the US Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.
-
![AUSA 2025: IAI presents its bid for US Army’s next-generation VTOL UAS requirement]()
AUSA 2025: IAI presents its bid for US Army’s next-generation VTOL UAS requirement
The OmniRaider uncrewed aerial system is described by Israel Aerospace Industries as an “Americanised” version of its ThunderB-NG vertical take-off and landing UAS of which there are hundreds in service.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lockheed Martin conducts first ground-based demo of JAGM Quad Launcher]()
AUSA 2025: Lockheed Martin conducts first ground-based demo of JAGM Quad Launcher
The first live-fire demonstration of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Quad Launcher was tested against a ground vehicle, with further tests against a UAS target planned for the system next month.
-
![AUSA 2025: Sikorsky’s uncrewed Black Hawk to fly next year]()
AUSA 2025: Sikorsky’s uncrewed Black Hawk to fly next year
The uncrewed UH-60L Black Hawk or U-Hawk is built around the company’s Matrix autonomy technology and, after less than a year of development, is expected to fly in 2026.
-
![Advances in HALE/MALE systems prove the sky is not the limit for drones]()
Advances in HALE/MALE systems prove the sky is not the limit for drones
Drone systems are multiplying at high altitudes as designers turn out new components and subsystems that let units operate there.
