Get the latest tech news

Skunk Works Reveals Its Stealthy Tanker That Will Play Hide and Seek With Russia and China

Lockheed Martin’s latest innovation aims to refuel fighters and bombers undetected in contested airspace.

These tankers support nearly all of the Air Force’s aircraft, including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35 Lighting II, C-17 Globemaster III, and the upcoming B-21 Raider bomber, and are based worldwide to allow Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied aircraft the ability to travel intercontinental distances, traversing entire continents and oceans, by constantly meeting up with tankers in midair taking on fuel along their route. America’s reliance on its fleet of tankers, airborne early warning, electronic support, and other aircraft has not gone unnoticed, and has prompted potential adversaries to develop long-range, air-to-air missiles to counter them. Next Generation Aerial Refueling System will keep U.S. and allied combat aircraft fueled at the front line, allowing them to patrol longer and strike deeper into enemy territory.

Get the Android app