# Hudson Institute Urges USAF Tanker Investment

A Hudson Institute report published October 27, 2026, recommends that the U.S. Air Force supplement its KC-46 purchases with a medium-sized, longer-range tanker, potentially using a blended-wing-body design. The report estimates a mixed fleet of 260 KC-46s and 250 new tankers would cost $397.6 billion across research and development, procurement, and sustainment—about $15.5 billion less than buying the same number of KC-46s. It also estimates $35.5 billion for airfield resilience and $13 billion for tanker mission-system upgrades. The report is a planning recommendation, not an announced USAF solicitation or award; its proposals could inform future aircraft, infrastructure, communications, and self-defense requirements.

- **Why this matters:** The recommended fleet and supporting investments indicate potential future demand across tanker development and production, airfield improvements, distributed fuel storage, and mission-system upgrades, but do not establish funded contract opportunities.
- Boeing’s KC-46 manufacturing role and JetZero’s blended-wing-body demonstrator work make them relevant industry participants as the Air Force evaluates tanker options; the report does not identify a selected design or awardee for a new tanker.
- Contractors can assess how their aircraft, infrastructure, connectivity, and self-defense capabilities align with the report’s recommendations, while distinguishing the estimates from an official procurement commitment.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Air Force (USAF)

### Vendors
- Boeing (KC-46 manufacturer)
- JetZero (Blended-wing-body demonstrator developer and potential future tanker candidate)

### Sources
- [USAF should buy newly designed air refuelers to meet China threat: Report - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/usaf-should-buy-newly-designed-air-refuelers-to-meet-china-threat-report) - Breaking Defense