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Mission
The KC-135 Stratotanker's principal mission is air refueling. This asset
greatly enhances the U. S. Air Force's capability to accomplish its mission
of Global Engagement. It also provides aerial refueling support to U.S.
Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and allied aircraft.
Features
Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135
to takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds (146,285 kilograms).
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 trailed behind the flying boom, may be used to
refuel aircraft fitted with probes. An operator stationed in the rear
of the plane controls the boom.
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 (37,648 kilograms) of cargo.
 Background
AMC manages more than 442 Stratotankers (primary aircraft assigned),
of which the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard fly 268 of those
in support of AMC's mission. McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., is the host
for the first KC-135 Air Force Reserve associate unit, the 931st Air
Refueling Group, which shares KC-135s with the base's 22nd Air Refueling
Wing.
The Boeing Company's model 367-80 was the basic design for the commercial
707 passenger plane as well as the KC-135A Stratotanker. In 1954 the
Air Force purchased the first 29 of its future fleet. The first aircraft
flew in August 1956 and the initial production Stratotanker was delivered
to Castle Air Force Base, Calif., in June 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered
to the Air Force in 1965.
Of the original KC-135A's, almost 400 have been modified with new CFM-56
engines produced by CFM-International. The re-engined tanker, designated
either the KC-135R or KC-135T, can offload 50 percent more fuel, is 25
percent more fuel efficient, costs 25 percent less to operate and is
96 percent quieter than the KC-135A.
Under another modification program, Air Force Reserve and Air National
Guard tankers were re-engined with the TF-33-PW-102 engines. The re-engined
tanker, designated the KC-135E, is 14 percent more fuel efficient than
the KC-135A and can offload 20 percent more fuel.
Through the years, the KC-135 has been altered to do other jobs ranging
from flying command post missions to reconnaissance. The EC-135C is U.S.
Strategic Command's flying command post. One EC-135C is on alert at all
times, ready to take to the air and control bombers and missiles if ground
control is lost. Special reconnaissance uses RC-135s and NKC-135A's are
flown in test programs for Air Force Systems Command. Air Combat Command
operates the OC-135 as an observation platform in compliance with the
Open Skies Treaty.
With projected modifications, the KC-135 will fly and refuel into the
next century. A new aluminum-alloy skin grafted to the underside of the
wings will add 27,000 flying hours to the aircraft.
Over the next few years, the aircraft will undergo a number of upgrades
to expand its capabilities and improve its reliability. Among these are
wingtip, air refueling pods; improved cockpit instrument displays; additional
communication equipment and enhanced navigation aids.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Aerial refueling
Prime Contractor: The Boeing Company
Power Plant: KC-135R/T, Four CFM-International CFM-56 turbofan
engines; KC-135E, Four Pratt and Whitney TF-33-PW-102 turbofan
engines
Thrust: KC-135R, 21,634 pounds each engine; KC-135E, 18,000
pounds each engine
Wingspan: 130 feet, 10 inches (39.88 meters)
Length: 136 feet, 3 inches (41.53 meters)
Height: 41 feet, 8 inches (12.7 meters)
Speed: 530 miles per hour at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters)
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
Range: 1,500 miles (2,419 kilometers) with 150,000 pounds
(68,039 kilograms) of transfer fuel; ferry mission,
up to 11,015 miles (17,766 kilometers)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 322,500 pounds (146,285 kilograms)
Maximum Transfer Fuel Load: 200,000 pounds (90,719
kilograms)
Maximum Cargo Capability: 83,000 pounds
(37,648 kilograms)
Crew: Four
Unit Cost: $52.2 million (FY96 constant
dollars)
Date Deployed: August 1965
Inventory: Active duty, 373; ANG and
Reserve, 268
Point of Contact
Air Mobility Command, Public
Affairs Office; 503 Ward Street, Suite 214; Scott AFB IL 62225-5335;
DSN 576-5003 or (618) 256-5003.
Above Information Courtesy
of United States Air Force
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