Death of 'Superman': The Case Against Specialized Tanker Aircraft in the USAF

摘要

This thesis analyzes the need for a comprehensive recapitalization of United States Air Force air refueling capabilities. The end of the Cold War resulted in an uncertain international security environment devoid of a monolithic threat. While adjusting to its role as the world's sole superpower, the United States adopted an attitude of global responsibility, resulting in increased commitment of military forces. Subsequent deployments have taxed the core USAF tanker, the KC-l35, to near critical levels, generating the recapitalization need. Conclusions are based on the synthesis of historical trends, organizationally endorsed material, and a feasibility-acceptability- adequacy model. Five options, including staying with the current tanker force, modifying commercial aircraft, acquiring an all-new tanker, civilian contract refueling, and unmanned aerial tankers are assessed. The resulting combination of dynamic and static analysis reveals the need for a paradigm shift regarding the USAF tanker fleet. The USAF should not acquire specialized tanker aircraft to meet its needs, There has been a migration away from specialized tanker platforms to multi-role aircraft for decades. Future concepts of operations will continue to demand a robust, capable tanker fleet. In order to meet future needs, the USAF should continue to maintain its current fleet, despite unplanned maintenance delays, acquire an interim capability in the form of a commercially modified tanker, and begin the acquisition process on a KC-X next generation tanker. This study concludes, however, that each of these steps should occur within the context of the new paradigm such that the aircraft are employed as communications relays, reconnaissance platforms, or any number of other primary roles and perform the refueling mission secondarily.