Executive Summary 9

Introduction 23

1. The Demand for Aerial Refueling 29

2. Problems Facing the Aerial Refueling Force 33

3. Surface Architecture and Mission Systems Improvements 41

4. Assessing Tanker Aircraft Options 51

5. Evaluating Tanker Performance Under Attack 69

6. Necessary Attributes of Future Tankers 81

7. Implementing an Effective and Resilient Aerial Refueling Force 85

8. Recommendations, Counterarguments, and Conclusion 97

Abbreviations 101

Endnotes 103