Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

The US Air Force wants to arm cargo and tanker aircraft with new weapons capable of intercepting inbound missiles and drones, and they’re aiming to invest half a billion dollars to bring this concept to fruition.

Let's talk about the Large Aircraft Survivability Systems, or LASS program, and why it's important.

Make sure to download the totally free Sandboxx News App!
apps.apple.com/us/app/sandboxx-news/id6760345905

📱 Follow Sandboxx News on social
Twitter: twitter.com/sandboxxnews
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@sandboxxnews
Instagram: instagram.com/sandboxxnews
Facebook: facebook.com/sandboxxnews
TikTok: tiktok.com/@sandboxxnews

📱 Follow Alex Hollings on social
Twitter: twitter.com/AlexHollings52
Instagram: instagram.com/alexhollings52
Facebook: facebook.com/AlexHollings52
TikTok: tiktok.com/alexhollings52

Citations:
airandspaceforces.com/air-force-tanker-cargo-aircraft-active-defenses
breakingdefense.com/2025/06/air-force-cancels-e-7-wedgetail-citing-survivability-and-cost-concerns
northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/mission-solutions/electro-optical-and-infrared-sensors-eo-ir/an-aaq-24v-dircm-directional-infrared-countermeasure
youtube.com/watch?v=YDsSEjERmME
sandboxx.us/news/darpas-new-longshot-missile-will-begin-testing-this-year-the-agency-says
aviationweek.com/defense/missile-defense-weapons/raytheon-build-mini-missile-interceptor-aircraft-self-defense
twz.com/15491/northrop-grumman-has-patented-a-kinetic-missile-defense-system-for-stealth-aircraft