The Air Force is looking to expedite its analysis of alternatives for the KC-Z program by moving up its planned launch from next decade to next year, a top official told reporters recently. The KC-Z is the Air Force’s vision for a refueling system that will follow the KC-Y, which is often called a “bridge tanker.” Though the KC-Z AOA was expected to begin sometime late in the 2030s, the service will now start “pre-analysis of alternatives work” next year,...