KC-135 drone launcher project illustrates how the US military is rethinking manned-unmanned teaming to protect vital support operations

Kc135 Drone Upgrade: US FY2026 Defense Budget Proposes KC-135 Stratotanker Drone Launch System Upgrade to Bolster Aerial Refueling Security

The United States Air Force is moving forward with one of the most forward-thinking upgrades ever proposed for the KC-135 Stratotanker. The initiative centers on integrating a Drone Delivery Mechanism (DDM) into the aircraft’s structure, a concept that could fundamentally...