Air Force weighs rebooting C-17 production amid next-gen airlift and tanker ambitions
The U.S. Air Force is examining the feasibility of restarting C-17 Globemaster III production as part of its plan to replace the C-17 and C-5 with a Next-Generation Airlift (NGAL) in the mid-2040s, while pursuing a family of Advanced Tanker Systems for future aerial refueling. The service is conducting an Analysis of Alternatives, considering costs, survivability, and potential foreign participation, and weighing options such as unmanned or optionally manned tankers alongside ongoing KC-46 upgrades. Competitors like Radia’s Windrunner are being explored, and lawmakers have directed a formal NDAA briefing. In parallel, the Air Force continues to modernize networks and self-protection for current airlift and tanker fleets to maintain readiness amid ongoing operations.
- USAF Assessing Feasibility Of Restarting C-17 Production As Part Of Its Future Airlift Vision TWZ
- AFA NEWS: Restarting C-17 Production? ‘Heck Yeah!’ Says Air Mobility Commander nationaldefensemagazine.org
- The USAF puts the C-17 back on the line: reopening Long Beach enters the plan to replace the Globemaster and the C-5 Aviacionline
- The US Air Force's Plan To Fly The C-17 Until 2075 While Its Replacement Exists Only On Paper Simple Flying
- US Air Force to keep C-17s flying until 2075 insideflyer.com
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on TWZ