Military Future Tech

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft receives fuel from the boom of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 26, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery)

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft flies in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 26, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft approaches the boom of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 23, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James K. Thomas)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 23, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James K. Thomas)

A U.S. Air Force boom operator walks through the fuselage aboard a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 23, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James K. Thomas)

A U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus aircraft takes off from a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 5, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adisen Smith)

A U.S. Airman works on a U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus aircraft after its return to a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 5, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adisen Smith)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft while a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft flies adjacent in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 25, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcaniz)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft flies in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 22, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcaniz)