The Air Force's brand-new, problem-plagued tanker probably won't deploy for another 3 years — or...

It doesn't look as if the problems plaguing the US Air Force's KC-46 Pegasus tanker will be over anytime soon.

Because of previously reported problems — and some unforeseen new ones — Gen. Maryanne Miller, head of Air Mobility Command, confirmed the Air Force's newest tanker aircraft, made by Boeing Co., won't be likely to deploy to a combat zone for at least three years. Additionally, AMC may ask the Air Force to slow the retirement of older KC-10 Extender and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, Miller said Wednesday.

"I'd love to slow down the retirement because I have to keep [refueling] booms in the air, but we'll see how this requirement plays out," Miller told reporters during a roundtable discussion here at the annual Air, Space and Cyber conference.