No USAF Pursuit of NGAS, As Service Examines Future Self-Protection for Tankers

The U.S. Air Force does not plan to pursue a dedicated Next Generation Air-refueling System aircraft and is instead studying how to improve protection for existing and future tankers. Officials are examining self-defense, networking, tactics, and survivability measures as longer-range enemy sensors and weapons make large support aircraft more vulnerable. The shift keeps refueling modernization focused on current fleets and near-term replacements rather than a new stealth tanker program, although specific defensive systems, budgets, and fielding schedules remain under evaluation and no comprehensive new program of record has been announced.