LMXT Air Tanker Leads F-35 Refueling Race

Related File Video Above: Air Force F-35 to Fly to 2070

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

The Air Force KC-Y program is focused on deploying a combat ready tanker aircraft that can be produced quickly and perform high-value refueling operations.

It is envisioned as a “bridge” tanker to offer something operational as an interim solution until the now-in-development KC-46 tanker arrives in sufficient numbers. The Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers are nearing the end of their service life, a situation which drives the need for the KC-Y Bridge Tanker.

A few of the industry offerings, however, may prove durable, high-performing and “upgradeable” such that they can emerge as long-term options for the Air Force. While always critical to global combat operations, tankers are even more urgently needed given the current threat environment in Eastern Europe and the Pacific.

Lockheed Martin LMXT 

Lockheed’s LMXT offering may by some estimations already be out performing the KC-46. 

The LMXT is based on an Airbus Multi-role tanker A330 MRTT aircraft now flying with as many as 13 U.S. allies. It is engineered with a number of key innovations designed to be upgradable as new technologies emerge. It includes a boom/drogue refueling system, fly-by-wire automatic boom/air-to-air refueling system and advanced sensors.