Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Military Aerial Refueling Aircraft

Efran Syah       Tanker Aircraft    Comment   

A KC-135 Stratotanker flies in the Thunder Over Louisville air show in Louisville, Ky., April 21, 2018. (USAF photo by Lt. Col. Dale Greer)

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft that was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, alongside the Boeing 707 airliner.

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 916th Air Refueling Wing takes off at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 19, 2018. (USAF photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

The KC-135 Stratotanker's primary mission is to refuel long-range bombers. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft.

A KC-135 Stratotanker descends before landing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., Jan. 18, 2018. (USAF photo by Airman 1st Class Erin McClellan)

The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 4, 2015. (USAF photo/Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

The KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1957; it is one of six military fixed-wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator.

Fourteen KC-135 Stratotankers line up during a simulated alert call March 24, 2016, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. (USAF photos/Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury)

The KC-135 is supplemented by the larger KC-10. Studies have concluded that many of the aircraft could be flown until 2030, although maintenance costs have greatly increased. The KC-135 is to be partially replaced by the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, 91st Air Refueling Squadron, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. (USAF photo by Master Sgt Keith Reed)

The KC-135R has four turbofan engines, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, which power it to takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds (146,300 kg).

A 128th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker approaches Honolulu Airport for a landing Jan. 17, 2020, during exercise Sentry Aloha 20-1. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker's flying boom, the KC-135's primary fuel transfer method. A special shuttlecock-shaped drogue, attached to and trailing behind the flying boom, may be used to refuel aircraft fitted with probes.

This apparatus is significantly more unforgiving of pilot error in the receiving aircraft than conventional trailing hose arrangements; an aircraft so fitted is also incapable of refueling by the normal flying boom method until the attachment is removed. A boom operator stationed in the rear of the aircraft controls the boom while lying prone.

A KC-135 Stratotanker arrives at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. (USAF photo/Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Sawyer)

A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds (38,000 kg) of cargo.

F-16 Fighting Falcons conduct aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker during a training sortie Sept. 9, 2015, over the U.K. (USAF photo/Tech. Sgt. Jason Robertson)

The KC-135 can climb at the rate of 1,490 m a minute. The maximum and cruise speed of the aircraft are 933 km/h and 852 km/h respectively. The range is 2,419 km. The ferry range and service ceiling of are 17,766 km and 15,200 m.

The aircraft weighs around 44,663 kg and the maximum take-off weight is 146,300 kg.

A KC-135 Stratotanker taxis through the wash rack, also known as a bird bath, after a mission Aug. 18, 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Young)

Some KC-135 aircraft have been configured for other missions such as reconnaissance and as a flying command post.

A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels F-22 Raptors over the Atlantic Ocean, April 12, 2018. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

In order to expand the KC-135's capabilities and improve its reliability, the aircraft has undergone a number of avionics upgrades. Among these was the Pacer-CRAG program (compass, radar and GPS) which ran from 1999 to 2002 and modified all the aircraft in the inventory to eliminate the Navigator position from the flight crew. The fuel management system was also replaced.

Two KC-135R Stratotankers refueled seven F/A-18 Hornets from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration team Sept. 26, 2018. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Massey)

Specifications KC-135R

• Manufacturer: Boeing Aircraft Company
• Designation: KC-135
• Crew: 3 (pilot, co-pilot and boom operator; some KC-135 missions require the addition of a navigator)
• Capacity: up to 80 passengers / 83,000 lb (37,648 kg)
• Length: 136 ft 3 in (41.53 m)
• Wingspan: 130 ft 10 in (39.88 m)
• Height: 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m)
• Wing area: 2,433 sq ft (226.0 m2)
• Airfoil: root: BAC 310/311/312 ; tip: BAC 313
• Empty weight: 98,392 lb (44,630 kg)
• Operating empty weight: 124,000 lb (56,245 kg)
• Gross weight: 297,000 lb (134,717 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 322,500 lb (146,284 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 200,000 lb (90,718 kg)
• Powerplant: 4 × CFM International F108-CF-100 turbofan engines, 21,600 lbf (96.2 kN) thrust each
• Maximum speed: 504 kn (Mach 0.9, 580 mph, 933 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 460.5 kn (529.9 mph, 852.8 km/h) at 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
• Range: 1,303.5 nmi (1,500.0 mi, 2,414.1 km) with 150,000 lb (68,039 kg) of transferable fuel
• Ferry range: 9,572 nmi (11,015 mi, 17,727 km)
• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
• Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (25 m/s)
• Armament: none