Tanker fleet modernization will continue for decades, US Air Force officials say

U.S. Air Force officials said aerial-refuelling modernization and sustainment will continue for decades, with KC-46A deliveries occurring alongside upgrades and support for hundreds of ageing KC-135s. Priorities include spare-parts availability, connectivity, survivability and technical improvements needed to support bombers and fighters in increasingly contested operating areas. The service has not announced a near-term retirement date for the KC-135 or a final replacement architecture. Industry and Air Mobility Command are therefore planning simultaneous recapitalization and life-extension work rather than a rapid one-for-one fleet transition programme.