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Telegraph

The US Air Force is looking for a new stealth jet. But it’s not a fighter or a bomber

Telegraph
Summary
Nutrition label

75% Informative

Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter will need aerial tankers if it's going to stand any chance of making a meaningful contribution to a future war with China .

The stealthy NGAD is going to need a stealthy flying tanker to keep its fuel tanks topped off.

Luckily, just such a thing already exists - the MQ-25 for the US Navy .

Nonetheless in a real shooting war, a desire to avoid losing people might well see MQ-25s used for reconnaissance into dangerous airspace, or even perhaps for strike missions. The same factors might well come into play in the USAF . With stealthy jet drones deployed by two services rather than just one, the arrival of full-blown unmanned combat aircraft is only getting likelier. Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day 's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week..