"This annotated briefing examines the utility of employing KC-135 and KC-10 tanker aircraft in the airlift role. The general characteristics, cargo loading capabilities, and performance of the tankers are examined and compared to the dedicated C-5A/B, C-17A, and C-141B airlift aircraft. Past operational usage of tankers in the airlift role and planning factors for future contingencies are revealed"--Report documentation page.

"This annotated briefing examines the utility of employing KC-135 and KC-10 tanker aircraft in the airlift role. The general characteristics, cargo loading capabilities, and performance of the tankers are examined and compared to the dedicated C-5A/B, C-17A, and C-141B airlift aircraft. Past operational usage of tankers in the airlift role and planning factors for future contingencies are revealed"--Report documentation page

The history of the use of airlift and tanker forces in the U.S. military from the early biplane to today's advanced aircraft is brilliantly described in this book.

"On 29 January 2007 the United States Air Force issued the final Request for Proposal (RFP) to industry for a new air refueling aircraft termed the KC-X. Although the KC-X will most likely be a commercial derivative, the RFP gives very specific system requirements and capabilities. These capabilities will replace the aging KC-135 fleet. The KC-135 has an average age of over 46 years and is projected to stay in the Air Force until at least the year 2040. This workhorse refueler is literally an "Eisenhower Era" acquisition and has the distinct honor of being the oldest combat weapon system in the United States Air Force (USAF). Every major study done on the KC-135 has come to the same conclusion...recapitalization is needed. The United States Air Force has been working a tanker replacement for nearly 10 years with limited success and very high profile failures. As you can see with statements made by several senior military leaders the problem is on the forefront of USAF priorities. The potential addition of 179 commercial derivative tankers with passenger and cargo capability far exceeding the KC-135 they will be replacing has implications and opportunities not realized yet in the Global Mobility CONOPS today."--Abstract from web site.

This book focuses on the unique and vital capabilities of the US Air Force's KC-135 tanker fleet. It analyzes historic and current tanker usage, tanker operational employment, and the capability of today's tanker fleet, with emphasis on force structure and force management. In light of decreasing budgets, aging airframes, increase downtime for maintenance, and an explosion in the operations tempo, this paper proposes a four-pronged methodology addressing tanker vision, organization, training and employment, as the correction needed to get the KC-135 weapon system back on centerline. This will allow the tanker to effectively aid the Air Force in successfully deterring conflict and, if needed, quickly win the nation's future wars.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has continuing efforts to modernize its airlift and tanker fleets by investing billions of dollars to modify legacy airlift systems, such as the C-5 and C-130, and procure new aircraft, such as a tanker replacement. Acquisition has been on GAO's list as a high risk area since 1990. Past GAO reports, including two recently issued, raise concerns about the quality of analyses underpinning the programmatic decision-making surrounding DOD's airlift requirements. GAO has reported that elements contributing to a sound business case for an acquisition are missing or incomplete as DOD and the services attempt to acquire new capabilities. Those elements include firm requirements, mature technologies, a knowledge-based acquisition strategy, a realistic cost estimate, and sufficient funding. Acquisition problems that include failure to limit cost growth, schedule delays, and quantity reductions persist, but fiscal realities will not allow budgets to accommodate these problems any longer. This testimony addresses (1) the analyses supporting the Department of Defense's (DOD) mobility capabilities and requirements and (2) actions that are needed to improve the outcomes of weapon system acquisitions.