Q&A · 54:22-54:37

Replacing carrier tanker capacity after the S-3 and A-6

A working drone refueller is proposed as a way to ease the tanker-capacity problems raised by the S-3 and A-6 retirements.

A-6 Intruder Aerial Refuelling Carrier Aviation S-3 Viking Uncrewed Aircraft US Navy

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Question

Did the US Navy make a mistake by retiring the S-3 and A-6 and losing their refuelling capacity?

Short answer

A successful drone refueller could ease the problems left by those retirements.

Notes

The S-3 and A-6 retirements raise a concern about carrier-based tanker capacity. A successful drone refueller is the hoped-for way to ease the resulting problems.