[20070320]RS20941_空军空中加油.pdf

1 A. Butler, “Air Force Mulling Replacement for Aging, Maintenance-Needy KC-135,” Insidethe Air Force, May 4, 2001.2 Department of the Navy (N78) provided to CRS by email Sept. 2, 2005.3 See, for example, Tanker Requirements Study-05. Department of the Air Force, Air MobilityCommand. February 2001, and Mobility Capabilities Study (MCS). December 2005. Order Code RS20941Updated March 20, 2007Air Force Aerial Refueling Christopher BolkcomSpecialist in National DefenseForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryAerial refueling aircraft are key to air operations. The U.S. tanker fleet is large andeffective, but old. Modernizing or replacing the current fleet of tankers presents theDepartment of Defense (DOD) with difficult choices in terms of desired capabilities,force structure, and budget. How this fleet will be maintained or replaced, and on whatschedule, has proven controversial. This report will be updated as events warrant.BackgroundModern military air operations require aerial refueling. Refueling aircraft, or tankers,extend the range of fighters, bombers, and other aircraft. Tankers increase the range andflexibility of projection forces. They increase the amount of time