The United States Air Force has rung the all-too-familiar warning bell that the Air Force's planned Next-Generation Aerial Refueling System (NGAS) - a planned stealthy refueling tanker - may be unaffordable. One of the most important differences between a good aircraft and a bad aircraft is affordability (a good aircraft is the one that is built). No matter how good an aircraft may be, if it is too expensive, it may be canceled or prematurely terminated, like the A-12 Avenger II , B-2 Spirit, and F-22 Raptor .
NGAS may be too expensive Defense News reported Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall speaking about the Air Force's planned next-generation systems - the sixth-generation NGAD fighter (along with its advanced CCA or loyal wingman drones) and NGAS. Kendall stated, “ Right now, given our commitments, our resources and strategic priorities, it’s hard for me to see how we can afford any combination of those new designs. What I worry about the most is the adequacy of our resources.
” Kendall made the comments at the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium in Grapevine, Texas on November 1st. Currently, the United States Air Force operates around 75% of the world's aerial tanker fleet . These are critical to the Air Force's ability to project power around the world - without fuel, fighter jets are little more than paperweights.
However, these tankers are also incredibly vulnerable to air defense leading to concerns that the Air Force will need a stealthy tanker to be able to .
