Refueling Aircraft

In-flight refuelers, also known as boom operators, can pump more than tens of thousands of pounds of gas at a time.

The Air Force must maintain 50 primary mission KC-10A aircraft in 2021, legislation says. It must keep 24 combat-coded B-1s.

The U.S. Air Force's troubled new refueling tanker has yet another problem: excessive fuel leaks.

Thirteen KC-135s and 10 KC-10s "must be retained" to reduce stress on overtasked aircrews, he said.

Gen. Lyons said that the aerial refueling element "is the most stressed and probably the one that's pushing the red line."

The Air Force's newest tanker has been cleared to carry extra passengers and equipment following a three-month ban.

The existing lighting system was too bright, making it difficult for boom operators to observe the refueling process.

The KC-46 has had many issues, including how the boom connects and disconnects from specific aircraft.

The Government Accountability Office has found cost overruns and delays in the Pentagon's purchase of major weapons systems.

The U.S. Air Force has once again halted deliveries of its new KC-46 Pegasus tankers.