KC-135
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a vital aerial refueling aircraft that has served as the backbone of the United States Air Force’s tanker fleet for over 60 years. Developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype (alongside the commercial 707 airliner), the KC-135 first entered service in 1957, replacing the slower, propeller-driven KC-97. Its primary mission is to extend the range and endurance of military aircraft by providing in-flight refueling, a capability crucial for global power projection and sustaining air operations in conflicts ranging from the Vietnam War to Operation Desert Storm and beyond. Beyond its refueling role, the versatile KC-135 can also transport cargo and passengers, and even perform aeromedical evacuations, solidifying its status as an indispensable asset for the USAF and its allies worldwide.
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Characteristics
Crew:
3 (pilot, co-pilot, boom operator). Some missions may include a navigator.
Length:
41.53 meters (136 ft 3 in)
Wingspan:
39.88 meters (130 ft 10 in)
Height:
12.7 meters (41 ft 8 in)
Empty Weight:
Approximately 44,000 kg (97,000 lb)
Maximum Takeoff Weight:
146,285 kg (322,500 lb)
Powerplant:
4 x CFM International CFM56 (F108-CF-100) turbofan engines, each producing approximately 96.9 kN (21,770 lbf) of thrust. These engines significantly improved performance over the original J57 turbojets, offering 50% more fuel offload capacity, 25% better fuel efficiency, and a 96% reduction in noise.
Performance
Maximum Speed:
966 km/h (521.6 kts or 601 mph)
Cruise Speed:
851 km/h (459.5 kts or 530 mph) at 9,144 meters (30,000 ft)
Range:
Ferry Mission:
Up to 17,766 km (11,015 miles)
With 68,039 kg (150,000 lb) of transfer fuel: 2,419 km (1,500 miles)
Service Ceiling:
15,545 meters (51,000 ft)
Rate of Climb:
Approximately 14.8 m/s (2,910 ft/min)
Maximum Transfer Fuel Load:
90,719 kg (200,000 lb)
Maximum Cargo Capability:
37,648 kg (83,000 lb) or up to 37 passengers. The cargo deck can also hold 6 standard pallets
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Air National Guard (ANG):
- Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine
- Birmingham Air National Guard Base, Alabama
- Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
- Forbes Field Air National Guard Base, Kansas
- General Mitchell Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin
- Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire
- Sioux City Air National Guard Base, Iowa:
- Spokane Air National Guard Base, Washington (part of Fairchild AFB)