New Contender for U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker

In response to the U.S. Air Force’s KC-Y Program to find a new refueling aircraft, Lockheed Martin’s LMXT offers a proven airframe with distinct U.S. Air Force-only capabilities designed to meet operator requirements By DA Staff / 04 Oct 2021

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Lockheed-Martin-LMXT-plane
Follow DA

Lockheed Martin has introduced the LMXT as America’s next strategic tanker in response to the U.S. Air Force’s KC-Y Program in search of an aerial refueling aircraft.

The LMXT aims to complement the U.S. Air Force’s tanker capabilities as an in-flight refueling tanker for immediate and long-term mission requirements. The LMXT strengthens and expands the U.S. aerospace industrial base by working with existing and new American suppliers. It also cultivates and sustains high-tech, high-skill manufacturing jobs.

“Lockheed Martin has a long and successful track record of producing aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, and we understand the critical role tankers play in ensuring America’s total mission success,” said Greg Ulmer, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. 

“The LMXT combines proven performance and operator-specific capabilities to meet the Air Force’s refueling requirements in support of America’s National Defense Strategy.”

The tanker builds on the combat-proven design of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). It offers a proven airframe with distinct U.S. Air Force-only capabilities designed to meet operator requirements. The aircraft is equipped with a fully automatic boom/air-to-air refuelling system and offers an improved range and fuel offload capacity.

It also features an operational and combat-proven advanced camera and vision system, open system architecture JADC2 systems, and a multi-domain operations node that connects the LMXT to the larger battlespace, increasing onboard situational awareness to provide resilient communications and datalink for assets across the force. 

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Meltio’s Metal 3D Printing Technology Introduced in Mexico

Meltio’s wire-laser metal 3D printing technology has been introduced in Mexico through a strategic alliance with Sitres Latam, Alar, and Tecnológico de Monterrey, with applications spanning industry, education, and research

May 16, 2025
New RF C-UAS Technology for Mobile & Fixed-Site Operations

AeroVironment is introducing Titan 4, a compact and lightweight RF counter-UAS system designed to detect and neutralize small drone threats rapidly, supports mobile, dismounted, or fixed-site use

May 16, 2025
Dual Role AUV Torpedo Expands Undersea Warfare Capabilities

Vatn Systems unveils the Skelmir S12 AUV-torpedo hybrid and a new manufacturing facility, advancing modular undersea warfare capabilities for multi-domain deployment

May 16, 2025
Who to see at Xponential 2025

Defense Advancement is pleased to be collaborating with so many companies participating in AUVSI's Xponential this year...

May 15, 2025
EOD/IED & Countermine Symposium to Spotlight Advances in Counter-IED Capabilities

DSI's EOD/IED & Countermine Symposium is returning for its 12th annual gathering on July 16–17 in National Harbor, MD, convening experts and solution providers from the DoD, federal government, academia, and industry

May 15, 2025
Protector RG Mk1 Issued Military Type Certification by the UK

GA-ASI has become the first manufacturer of large, unmanned aircraft to receive an MTC (Military Type Certificate) following the issue from UK’s Military Aviation Authority to the Royal Air Force’s Protector RG Mk1

May 15, 2025

Featured Content

Next-Gen Group 2 UAS Enters Production with Extended Endurance & Upgrades

Aurora Flight Sciences upgrades the SKIRON-X Group 2 UAS with greater versatility and tactical mission endurance, as well as announcing the hydrogen-powered SKIRON-XLE variant

May 13, 2025
Discover ANELLO’s SiPhOGâ„¢ for GNSS-Denied Navigation at XPO25

CEO of ANELLO Photonics, Dr. Mario Paniccia, will present at Xponential 2025 on the company's SiPhOG-based inertial navigation technology in GPS-denied and GNSS-contested environments.

May 09, 2025
U.S. Army Partnership Advances Autonomous Helicopter Logistics Program

The U.S. Army is partnering with Honeywell and Near Earth Autonomy to retrofit Black Hawk helicopters with scalable autonomy kits for uncrewed logistics operations

May 08, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.