Skip to main content

Military Aircraft: Information on Air Force Aerial Refueling Tankers

GAO-03-938T Published: Jun 24, 2003. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2003.
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

Highlights

Both the Congress and the Department of Defense are concerned about the age of the U.S. aerial refueling fleet and its potential impact on the military services' ability to meet operational requirements. Aerial refueling provides a key capability that is essential to the mobility of U.S. forces. At present, the Air Force is in the early stages of planning for modernizing its aging fleet. In this testimony, GAO was asked to present its initial observations on (1) the status of the KC-135 fleet, including its age, projected life limits, and mission capable rates (i.e., the percent of time on average that the aircraft are available to perform their assigned mission); and (2) Air Force aerial refueling requirements.

Full Report

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

Air Force procurementAircraft maintenanceIn-flight refuelingAircraft researchMilitary aircraftMilitary aviationMilitary budgetsStrategic planningAircraftMilitary forces