The U.S. Air Force says it would like to have a fleet of next-generation aerial refueling tankers in service by 2040. At least for the time being, the service says that it is willing to consider a wide range of options for what the tankers might actually look like, but says they will need to be able to provide support in “contested scenarios.” Lockheed Martin and Boeing have already been exploring relevant design concepts with blended wing-body planforms and that are at least somewhat stealthy.

The anticipated schedule and other details about what the Air Force is officially calling the Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) were included in a Request For Information (RFI) contracting notice posted online yesterday. The announcement indicates that the service is still refining its specific requirements for NGAS and is hoping to begin a more formal process of exploring its options, called an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), this year.

A Boeing concept for a blend wing-body aerial refueling tanker design. Boeing
“The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is pursuing continued development of the next generation of tanker concepts that address the changing strategic environment,” the RFI says. “The team is seeking information on innovative industry solutions that might fulfill the most stressing and complex air refueling mission requirements of the future fight.”

“NGAS shall be required to address employment in contested scenarios,” the notice adds. “The DAF is interested in innovative solutions in all size and performance classes that might address the stressing mission requirements; airspeeds should be compatible with modern receivers.”
The term “receivers” here refers to aircraft that would refuel from these future tankers.
The notice does not offer any other details about possible NGAS requirements.