All commanders want more capability than they they’ll need, Schwartz said, and “in a perfect world,” he’d buy both more C-17s and a new aerial tanker, one that can double as a freighter, like the KC-10. However, if he is forced to choose between them, his choice would be the tanker/cargo combo. He waved off characterizing what the airplane should be but said he’s convinced there’s no “economic business case to fix the KC-135E” with any kind of an upgrade. A new aircraft is needed, and the program should get going “Without delay. Right now. Get on with it.”
Back from a Thanksgiving week recess, the push to pass the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act hit another snag Nov. 29, as the Senate voted against ending debate on its version of the bill. At the same time, Congress is staring down a Dec. 3 expiration date for its continuing…