Trophy for Tankers? (And other large aircraft?)

[Kirkhill]

Mini Missiles Used To Shoot Down Incoming Missiles Eyed For USAF Tanker Fleet

Tankers are increasingly vulnerable as enemy long-range missiles evolve, leading the USAF to explore 'hard kill' solutions.

www.twz.com

"The U.S. Air Force is exploring new ways to protect aerial refueling tankers and other high-value support aircraft by physically defeating incoming threats rather than trying to jam them or otherwise throw them off course. The service says a “kinetic” self-defense option could provide a valuable last line of defense against anti-air interceptors that might be resistant or even immune to certain kinds of electronic warfare attacks or decoys."

And so is the USN

Navy Eyes 'Hard-Kill' Defenses For Transport, Tanker, and Possibly Unmanned Escort Planes

The service is looking for a system that launches interceptors at incoming missiles and could end up on more than half a dozen types of aircraft.

www.twz.com

 

[Colin Parkinson]

There is a claim out there that Ukraine took out a aerial tanker while refueling a bomber. the story does not seem to be getting any legs, so unverified at this point.