Skunk Works unveils vision for stealthier air refuelling future
The Lockheed Corporation's Skunk Works design office has unveiled a visualization of a next-generation flying tanker. The aircraft, emerging from the NGAS (Next-Generation Air Refueling System) program, is set to replace the older models currently in service and equip the American Air Force with brand-new capabilities. What do we know about it so far?
Skunk Works is a hub of aviation innovation, the birthplace of revolutionary designs such as the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-22 Raptor, F-35, and RQ-170 Sentinel. On May 13, as reported through the Aviation Week service, Skunk Works showcased a conceptual image of this potentially game-changing aviation project: the future NGAS flying tanker.
Unlike the currently operated flying tankers, such as the C-46A Pegasus or the older KC-135 Stratotanker, the plane featured in the concept art, shown alongside an F-35, appears smaller than its predecessors. It is depicted with a rigid boom (fuel pipe), and its crew comprises more than one person.
Earlier visualizations hinted at the NGAS aircraft possibly featuring blurred wings. However, the latest depiction presents it with lambda-type wings (a design seen in drones like the X-45 or RQ-180) that support the engine's air intakes below them.
NGAS – Next-Generation Flying Tanker
The NGAS project aims to construct a cutting-edge flying tanker to supplant the current fleet, such as the C-46A and KC-135 while introducing unprecedented capabilities. It is poised to assist aircraft like the B-21 Raider and future air superiority fighters developed under the NGAD initiative.
The NGAS program aims to upgrade the functionality of flying tankers dramatically. These planes are modified from transport or passenger aircraft, making them noticeable and prone to attack. This restricts their operation to secure, friendly airspace far from the frontlines.
The NGAS initiative intends to bring to life a flying tanker that can endure in adversarial territory, potentially near threats. Advances in stealth technology and defence mechanisms, heralded by initiatives like the Hard Kill Self Protection Countermeasure System (HKSPCS), will contribute to this objective.
