The B-21 Raider stealth bomber is much more than just a bomber—it’s a high-tech command-and-control platform capable of controlling drones and flying uncrewed missions.
The cost is as big as the mission it will fly: around $203 billion.
For years, developers of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber have discussed plans to operate the new platform as a command-and-control sensor node in the sky, connecting groups of drones, crewed aircraft, and ground locations.
However, despite the aircraft’s many selling points, the Air Force must address one issue: aerial refueling.
How Will The USAF Refuel 100 B-21 Raiders?
The Air Force plans to buy 100 B-21 Raiders, and a fleet of this many bombers will require a lot more aerial refueling platforms than the service currently has. There are currently only 20 B-2 Spirit bombers operational.
The Air Force uses the KC-46 tanker for refueling operations and plans to acquire 179. It also currently operates 396 KC-135 tankers. As of October 2024, the US has 606 tankers of all types, 75 percent of the world’s total.
China currently has eight aerial refueling tankers in its fleet, but they are very limited in their ability to operate far from their borders.
With the Air Force having so many air refueling tankers, what is the issue?
What Is The Issue With the B-21 Refueling
The US Air Force operates on the premise that it can strike anywhere, anytime in the world, and it needs to maintain an ample supply of aerial refueling tankers to keep its aircraft in the sky.
However, when it comes to 100 stealth B-21 Raiders, that issue gets compounded by a couple of different factors.
First, the B-21 already has an incredibly long range, but in having that range, it has enormous fuel tanks and will require a lot of fuel for long-duration missions.
However, the main issue is the stealth bomber itself. No stealth bomber is stealthy when refueled by a huge tanker such as the KC-46. The transfer rate will be an issue.
“We got a really deep understanding in terms of how they intend to employ their new aircraft. And that will drive a slightly different way in which we are to support them, which actually means that it’s going to be a little bit higher requirement specifically in the fuel transfer,” General Randall Reed, the chief of Transportation Command, said to the Senate Armed Services Committee recently.
When it comes to fuel transfer rate, a report from Aviation Week noted that “guidelines set by the international Air Refueling Systems Advisory Group call for refueling booms to support a transfer rate up to 1,200 gal. per minute, an amount equivalent to about 8,000 lb. of JP-8 jet fuel.”
“The B-21’s weight and fuel capacity are not known, but the bomber’s size is generally considered around two-thirds the mass of a B-2A,” that outlet’s story added. “A single B-2A can carry up to 167,000 lb. of fuel. Assuming a 1,200 gal. per minute transfer rate, it could take about 17 min. for a KC-46 to completely refill 80% of the fuel capacity of a B-2A.”
In the event of a shooting war with China, which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) told its soldiers to be ready for by 2027, the B-21 fleet will be tasked with attacking targets in the Indo-Pacific, China, around Taiwan, and North Korea, if not Russia, too.
Stealth Tankers Are Shot Down
Surprisingly, the Air Force chose to terminate the Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) stealth tanker. This tanker was intended to operate within contested airspace, where the KC-46 can’t, mainly supporting the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) manned fighter and the B-21 Raider.
Stealth tankers would enhance the survivability of the tanker and the receiving aircraft during refueling operations.
The Air Force is looking for improvements in boom technology, including developing booms with greater flexibility and precision, allowing for more efficient fuel transfer and reducing the time required for refueling.
The Air Force is also rethinking the 100 B-21 bomber number—not shrinking it, but expanding it to as many as 220 bombers. That will add even more tankers needed.
The B-21 is expected to use the boom refueling method, where a rigid, telescoping tube is extended from the tanker to the receiving aircraft.
This method allows for a higher fuel transfer rate compared to the probe-and-drogue method used by smaller aircraft.
There are still many questions to answer. However, the Air Force and Congress are discussing these issues now, not after the aircraft is operational, and there are problems with how to use it correctly.
There is some good news, however. The B-21 Raider project is coming in ahead of time and on budget.
When was the last time that happened?
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
