Fiscally sound options for a flawed tanker recapitalization strategy

The current process of replacing the KC-135 tanker with the KC-46, the Air Force's top recapitalization priority, will not be complete until the last KC-135 is about 120 years old. Consequently, the author contends that Air Force leaders should consider innovative options, including fee-for-service refueling performed by commercially owned and operated KC-X and KC-135 aircraft. Doing so allows time for delivery of the new KC-46s while commercial providers support ongoing refueling needs in the interim, thus helping to ensure that airpower's force multiplier--aerial refueling--doesn't become its single point of failure.
The United States remains the only nation able to project and sustain large-scale military operations over extended distances. We maintain superior capabilities to deter and defeat adaptive enemies and to [...]