Aerial refueling of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters with conventional tankers like the KC-10 Extender and KC-135 Stratotanker deprives the first advantages of using stealth technology. The method of destruction by means of air defense (air defense) of several inconspicuous aircraft at once is described by RIA Novosti .
The publication states that tankers are "an easy target for anti-aircraft missile systems." "Russia has S-400s with a range of 400 kilometers and MiG-31 interceptors that hit the R-33 missile at 300 kilometers, so American tanker planes have something to fear," the agency writes.
It is noted that "it is still unclear how to use them together with the fifth-generation F-22 and F-35 fighters." "Refueling the invisible in the air completely unmasks it, and the enemy's air defense can kill two or even three birds with one stone at once," the publication says.
RIA Novosti reminds that the United States is developing inconspicuous air tankers.
In September, Lockheed Martin presented the LMXT air tanker project, which will compete with the existing Boeing KC-46 aircraft in the US Air Force competition involving the creation of the KC-Y tanker.
In the same month, a demonstration sample of the unmanned tanker MQ-25 Stingray of the US Navy performed aerial refueling of the fifth-generation carrier-based fighter F-35C Lightning II.
Ivan Potapov
