U.S. Air Force Faces Unexpected Crisis Nobody Predicted

The U.S. Navy's Weak Spot Is Its Vulnerability to Liquids—A Major Risk Factor: Similar to how soldiers require beans, bullets, and bandages, naval aviation planes necessitate an ample supply of fuel.

The Trump administration recently declared the victor of the Next-Generation Air Dominance initiative, naming the F-47 as the winning contender.

The victor of the United States Navy's F/A-XX initiative, which aims to replace the service's current F/A-18 planes with an advanced sixth-generation fighter, remains undisclosed.

However, in a recent disclosure, one of the Navy’s leading pilots may have unintentionally unveiled an important detail about the project—one that doesn’t paint a promising picture regarding issues of distance.

Addressing the Sea Air Space 2025 exhibition exhibition During an event organized by the Navy League, Navy Rear Adm. Michael "Buzz" Donnelly, who leads the Air Warfare Division under the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, stated that the forthcoming F/A-XX will likely possess more than 125% of the current range. This enhanced capability aims to provide greater operational flexibility and extended reach. Additionally, he emphasized that this aircraft will undoubtedly boast a significantly increased natural range compared to present models.

Although unclear, estimations continue to evolve. F-35C boasts an operational range of approximately 1,240 kilometers for its combat missions. Given this metric, the F/A-XX would cover approximately 1,550 kilometers for its combat range.

The F/A-XX will, “naturally, include aerial refueling capabilities, and every aspect of our air wings, current tactical approaches, as well as future designs, integrates this self-sufficient refueling feature,” hence, F/A-XX "Will be able to utilize that as well," Donnelly added.

You might argue that the duration becomes limitless with access to refueling, provided that refueling remains accessible.

Nevertheless, disregarding queries regarding the precise range, the aerial refueling fleet could be considered one of the most vulnerable components of the upcoming operations. US Air Force .

Navy Queries About Distance Capabilities, Fuel Ship Competencies

Speaking at the Air and Space Force Association's Combat Symposium General John Lamontagne from the Air Mobility Command stated, “This assessment essentially examines the compromises involved with determining the size of the runway required, the quantity of fuel that can be delivered over distance, and the measures taken to manage signatures so as to advance further into hostile areas.”

Despite uncertainties arising from the incoming administration's ambiguous objectives and an uncertain way ahead for the Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter , now referred to as the F-47 and officially supported by both the United States Air Force and the President—the prospects for the NGAS (Next-Generation Air Refueling System) might become clearer.

NGAS is dedicated to making sure that the tanker capabilities… [which] will be capable of surviving and functioning in an environment that is far more challenging compared to those of the past or the ones currently in our fleet. Andrew Hunter from the U.S. Air Force acquisition chief, said last month.

However, the United States Air Force is now closely examining the potential vulnerability of its tanker fleet when facing a sophisticated adversary in highly contested airspaces during an advanced conflict.

"We must adopt a strategy that enables us to tackle these threats while also resupplying the combined forces, allowing them to participate in all essential operations needed for intense conflicts," Hunter stated to journalists.

Ours has become an environment where our mobility assets can no longer function freely," stated ex-Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. He added that the aerial threats are intensifying significantly due to their expanding reach. One major worry he highlighted was the vulnerability of our tanker aircraft, noting they must now position themselves closer to potential dangers to resupply fighter jets operating just a few hundred miles away from adversaries.

The US Air Force needs to shift from older tanker planes to updated refueling systems that do not originate from commercial airplanes.

B-21 Raider Bomber

The impending arrival of the United States Navy’s new fighter aircraft has raised concerns among Pentagon planners. Meanwhile, the United States Air Force is eagerly anticipating its delivery. B-21 Raider stealth bomber, A successor to the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from the Cold War era.

Although externally resembling its B-2 predecessor, the B-21 Is anticipated to exhibit considerably greater stealth capabilities due to sophisticated stealth materials and aerodynamic shaping enhanced by cutting-edge computational design. Despite these improvements, the B-21 is predicted to fall short of the Spirit series' performance in an important aspect.

Due to its generally more compact dimensions, the B-21 Raider is expected to have less onboard fuel compared to the bigger one B-2 Spirit This diminutive fuel tank consequently leads to a more limited operational range, assuming no major advancements in engine efficiency occur. Adding complexity to this situation is the U.S. Air Force’s desire to substitute many of the bombers currently stored in their hangars with these aircraft. B-21 And obtain at least 100 Raider bombers, if possible even more. Should expectations regarding the B-21's reduced range maintain integrity, the pressure exerted on the tanker fleet in the coming years might be substantial.

About the Author: Caleb Larson

Caleb Larson He is an American multi-format journalist residing in Berlin, Germany. His journalism explores the overlap between conflict and societal issues, with particular emphasis on American foreign policy and European security matters. Reporting from locations such as Germany, Russia, and the U.S., his recent focus was the ongoing war in Ukraine. In this capacity, he provided detailed coverage of changing frontlines in regions like Donbas and examined the impact of the conflict on civilians and human welfare. Before this role, he served as a Defense Reporter at POLITICO Europe. Follow him to stay updated. his most recent project on X .

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