L3Harris says digital KC-135 cockpit upgrade can keep U.S. tanker fleet mission-ready beyond 2050 and reduce sustainment costs

L3Harris has proposed a digital avionics modernization for the KC-135 that it says could keep the tanker fleet mission-ready beyond 2050. The concept would replace obsolete flight-deck equipment with commercially available components, standard interfaces and a government-owned architecture derived from mature C-135 work. A common digital foundation could simplify future upgrades, reduce sustainment pressure and lower crew workload while retaining the aircraft's core refueling mission. The announcement describes an industry proposal rather than an Air Force award, and it provides no contract value, installation schedule or confirmed fleet quantity.