The U.S. is considering the possibility of using business jets as platforms for a new generation of aerial refueling aircraft. This could be of interest to Ukraine, which currently has no aircraft capable of extending the range or endurance of its aviation.
Representatives of the U.S. Air Force discussed the relevant options, according to TWZ. It is noted that stealth tankers, which are considered the main candidate, are not being ruled out. At the same time, the U.S. military is exploring broader options for performing this role.
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Business jets offer several advantages for refueling missions, including lower operating costs, the ability to use shorter runways, and streamlined logistics. At the same time, the required cruising speed and altitude are maintained.
At the same time, an obvious drawback is the load capacity, which means that such platforms will carry less fuel than typical refueling aircraft, such as the KC-135 and KC-46, which are based on commercial airliners. In theory, this issue could be solved by having access to additional air bases and by refueling the tankers themselves.
From Defense Express we would like to note that the business jet option may not be the best solution for the U.S., but it may make sense for Ukraine. Their lower capacity and range are not such a big problem due to Ukraine's relatively small size.
Although the Ukrainian Air Force inherited Il-78 tanker aircraft from the Soviet Union, they were either sold, decommissioned, or converted into conventional Il-76 transport aircraft. Consequently, only a handful of Su-24M bombers are able to perform this role, which was practiced in exercises even before Russia's full-scale invasion.
The availability of refueling aircraft could allow fighter jets to be deployed from airfields located far from the front line, thereby reducing the risk on the ground. Conventional platforms for this purpose are costly and require significant support from air bases, making smaller aircraft a potentially good alternative.
It should be noted that, although business jets are not currently used as tankers, several projects around the world have demonstrated that this is a realistic possibility. For instance, Israel's IAI showcased a Gulfstream G550-based model, though it was mainly intended for training purposes.
At present, it is difficult to say what the U.S. will ultimately choose as its future refueling aircraft; perhaps it will be a combination of different platforms. As for Ukraine, this does sound like a good opportunity, but most likely there are other priorities that need to be addressed first.
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