The winner of the KC-X programme was recently announced as the A330-200, which will replace KC-135s, such as the example pictured. The ageing Stratotanker is having to operate in tough conditions, as illustrated here at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. Operating from forward, often austere, locations can be challenging as they may have limited support facilities.

To date, the USAF only has approval to buy 183 F-22A Raptors. However, General Moseley has always stated that in his opinion the minimum number required is 381.

Boeing's HH-47 version of the Chinook was selected by the USAF as the winner of its combat search and rescue CSAB-X competition in November 2006. However, protests from the other bidders resulted in the USAF reopening the competition. A version of the AgustaWestland AW101 (dubbed HH-71) and Sikorsky S-92 (HH-92) are competing with the HH-47 to replace the Sikorsky HH-60, with the USAF stating it needs 141 new helicopters for this role. A decision on which helicopter has won second time around is expected in October this year.

A computer-generated image of a Boeing proposal for the USAF's '2018 bomber'. General Moseley told AIR International that he envisages an aircraft that can carry a bomb load of 20,000lbs, fly at a speed of Mach 0.9to 1.0 and have a radius of action of about 2,500 miles.