On November 1, 2023, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall expressed concerns about the Air Force’s capability to finance the Next-Generation Aerial Refueling System (NGAS) during a mobility conference. This system is deemed vital for modernizing the Air Force’s operational capabilities, particularly in the context of potential conflict with China.
Kendall highlighted that the successful implementation of NGAS, along with the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter and collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), could be compromised due to the service’s current budget constraints. Speaking at the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium in Grapevine, Texas, he acknowledged that the Air Force’s commitments, resources, and strategic priorities make it challenging to secure funding for these critical systems.
The Air Force aims to deploy NGAS by the mid-2030s, enhancing its ability to refuel aircraft in contested environments, especially in the vast Indo-Pacific region. The design of NGAS may include stealth features, with speculation around a blended wing concept rather than utilizing existing commercial aircraft designs.
Currently, the Air Force is also dealing with other modernization projects, such as the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and the LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile, further straining its resources and necessitating a reassessment of financial feasibility.
As part of a broader evaluation, the Air Force is conducting a four-month review of its air superiority strategy and is re-evaluating NGAD’s design to reduce costs while ensuring interoperability with NGAS and upcoming CCAs.
Kendall noted that the changing landscape of threats, advancements in technology, and revised military strategies have significantly altered the original plans laid out for NGAD a decade ago, necessitating a fresh perspective on future refueling capabilities.
The information is reported by Stephen Losey, a defense correspondent specializing in air warfare.
