How boom operators aboard the US Air Force's flying gas stations keep their cool doing an 'inherently dangerous' job

Tech Insider : Business, Crypto
A Pennsylvania Air National Guard KC-135 aircraft from the 171st Air Refueling Wing located in Pittsburgh flies over the installation prior to landing Aug. 8, 2025.
A KC-135 refueling tanker.

US Air National Guard photo by Shawn Monk

The US Air Force is tinkering with an unusual design for its biggest planes as it prepares for a potential long-range war with China

Tech Insider
Air Force Blended Wing Body prototype aircraft
A rendering of the Blended Wing Body prototype aircraft.

US Air Force

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