# Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) — Program Element 0605057F

**Program element:** 0605057F  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force  
**Appropriation:** 3600 — RDT&E, Air Force  
**Budget Activity:** 4 — Advanced Component Development & Prototypes  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605057F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding falls 100% to a $0.0M request in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak).

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 6.9 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 11.9 |
| FY2027 | Request | 0.0 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 0.0 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 0.0 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Projects (1)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 640010 | Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) | 6.9 | 11.9 | 0.0 | −100% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 640010 — Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS)

Developing future tanker capability and recapitalizing the Air Force's aging tanker fleet is a top priority for the Department of the Air Force. In FY 2024, the Department of the Air Force amended its previous Tanker recapitalization approaches (KC-X, KC-Y, KC-Z) in favor of more agile methods, prioritizing and accelerating the right capabilities to deliver fuel to the fight. The FY 2024 Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) provided conclusions that tankers will need to be more survivable to operate in a contested environment to include but not limited to examining the effectiveness and affordability of more resilient, connected, and survivable tanker systems. The Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) program will develop more advanced capabilities to allow tankers to operate in a more contested environment. Future tanker fleet survivability capabilities are a top priority for the Department of the Air Force to counter pacing threats and enable B-21, CCAs, F-47, survivable tankers, and Space assets in contested environments. In FY 2027, NGAS will continue modeling and simulation support, planning for transition of new technologies for resilient connectivity and survivability (mission systems), and further market research. The Future Tankers System Program Office (SPO) will evaluate, research and pursue cost versus capability analysis, updated tanker models and high-fidelity modeling and simulation to further exercise joint warfighting concepts and plans. NGAS program Research, Development and Test (RDT&E) funding will allow for continued concept refinement and early risk reduction efforts to support continued requirements development and identify refined system attributes. This requirement supports performance of a full financial audit as required by title 10 U.S.C Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. This program element included all necessary expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studies and Analysis | 0.1 | 5.7 | 0.0 |
| NGAS Direct Mission Support | 6.8 | 6.2 | 0.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

Developing future tanker capability and recapitalizing the Air Force's aging tanker fleet is a top priority for the Department of the Air Force. In FY 2024, the Department of the Air Force amended its previous Tanker recapitalization approaches (KC-X, KC-Y, KC-Z) in favor of more agile methods, prioritizing and accelerating the right capabilities to deliver fuel to the fight. The FY 2024 Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) provided conclusions that tankers will need to be more survivable to operate in a contested environment to include but not limited to examining the effectiveness and affordability of more resilient, connected, and survivable tanker systems.

N/A

## Related program elements

- [0605164F — Continued Tanker Recapitalization RDT&E](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605164F) (Air Force)
- [0604343F — Advanced Tanker Systems](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604343F) (Air Force)
- [0605512N — MEDIUM UNMANNED SURFACE VEHICLES (MUSVs)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605512N) (Navy)
- [0606225D8Z — ODNA Technology & Resource Analysis](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0606225D8Z) (Defense-Wide)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0605057F (PB PB2027).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0605057F")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*