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.
