Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

3/21/2018 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker - Wikipedia
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft. Both the KC-135 and the Boeing 707 airliner
KC-135 Stratotanker
were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. It is the predominant variant of the C-135 Stratolifter family of
transport aircraft. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97
Stratofreighter. The KC-135 was initially tasked with refueling strategic bombers, but was used extensively in the
Vietnam War and later conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm to extend the range and endurance of US tactical
fighters and bombers.
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[1] with its original operator. The KC-135 is supplemented by the larger KC-10.
Studies have concluded that many of the aircraft could be flown until 2040, although maintenance costs have greatly
increased. The KC-135 will eventually be replaced by the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.
A KC-135R refuels an F-15 Eagle
Role Aerial refuelling and
transport
Contents National origin United States
Development Manufacturer Boeing
Background
General upgrades First flight 31 August 1956
Engine retrofits Introduction June 1957
Further upgrades and derivatives
Status In service
Design
Primary users United States Air Force
Operational history
French Air Force
Introduction into service
Research usage
Turkish Air Force
Replacing the KC-135 Singapore Air Force
Variants Produced 1955–1965

Operators Number built 803
Accidents Unit cost US$39.6 million (FY98
Aircraft on display dollars)
Specifications (KC-135R) Developed from Boeing 367-80
See also Variants Boeing NC-135
References
External links
Development
Background
Like its sibling, the commercial Boeing 707 jet airliner, the KC-135 was derived from the Boeing 367-80 jet transport "proof of concept" demonstrator, which was commonly
called the "Dash-80". The KC-135 is similar in appearance to the 707, but has a narrower fuselage and is shorter than the 707. The KC-135 predates the 707, and is structurally
quite different from the civilian airliner. Boeing gave the future KC-135 tanker the initial designation Model 717.[2]
In 1954 USAF's Strategic Air Command (SAC) held a competition for a jet-powered aerial refueling tanker. Lockheed's tanker version of the proposed Lockheed L-193 airliner
with rear fuselage-mounted engines was declared the winner in 1955.[3] Since Boeing's proposal was already flying, the KC-135 could be delivered two years earlier and Air
Force Secretary Harold E. Talbott ordered 250 KC-135 tankers until the Lockheed's design could be manufactured. In the end, orders for the Lockheed tanker were dropped
rather than supporting two tanker designs. Lockheed never produced its jet airliner, while Boeing would eventually dominate the market with a family of airliners based on the
707.[4][5]
In 1954, the Air Force placed an initial order for 29 KC-135As, the first of an eventual 820 of all variants of the basic C-135 family. The first aircraft flew in August 1956 and the
initial production Stratotanker was delivered to Castle Air Force Base, California, in June 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered to the Air Force in 1965.
Developed in the early 1950s, the basic airframe is characterized by 35-degree aft swept wings and tail, four underwing-mounted
engine pods, a horizontal stabilizer mounted on the fuselage near the bottom of the vertical stabilizer with positive dihedral on the
two horizontal planes and a hi-frequency radio antenna which protrudes forward from the top of the vertical fin or stabilizer. These
basic features make it strongly resemble the commercial Boeing 707 and 720 aircraft, although it is actually a different aircraft.
Reconnaissance and command post variants of the aircraft, including the RC-135 Rivet Joint and EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft
were operated by SAC from 1963 through 1992, when they were reassigned to the Air Combat Command (ACC). The USAF EC-135
Looking Glass was subsequently replaced in its role by the U.S. Navy E-6 Mercury aircraft, a new build airframe based on the
USAF KC-135R boom operator view Boeing 707-320B.
from boom pod
General upgrades
The KC-135Q variant was modified to carry JP-7 fuel necessary for the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird by separating the JP-7 from the KC-135's own fuel supply (the body tanks
carrying JP-7, and the wing tanks carrying JP-4 or JP-8). The tanker also had special fuel systems for moving the different fuels between different tanks.[6] When the KC-135Q
model received the CFM-56 engines, it was redesignated the KC-135T model, which was capable of separating the main body tanks from the wing tanks where the KC-135
draws its engine fuel. The only external difference between a KC-135R and a KC-135T is the presence of a clear window on the underside of the empennage of the KC-135T
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where a remote controlled searchlight is mounted. It also has two ground refueling ports, located in each rear wheel well so ground
crews can fuel both the body tanks and wing tanks separately.
Eight KC-135R aircraft are receiver-capable tankers, commonly referred to as KC-135R(RT). All eight aircraft were with the 22d Air
Refueling Wing at McConnell AFB, Kansas, in 1994.[7] They are primarily used for force extension and Special Operations missions,
and are crewed by highly qualified receiver capable crews. If not used for the receiver mission, these aircraft can be flown just like
any other KC-135R.
In order to expand the KC-135's capabilities and improve its reliability, the aircraft has undergone a number of upgrades. Among
A Cold War-era image of B-52D
these was the Pacer-CRAG program (CRAG=Compass, Radar And GPS) which ran from 1999 to 2002 and modified all the aircraft
refueling from a KC-135A
in the inventory to eliminate the Navigator position from the flight crew. The program development was done by Rockwell Collins
in Iowa[8] and installation was performed by BAE Systems at the Mojave Airport in California.[9] The latest block upgrade to the
KC-135 is Block 40.6 which allows the KC-135 to comply with Global air-traffic management. The KC-135 Block 45 program is expected to come online in 2014 and addresses
non-procurable instrument upgrades as well as a new autopilot and flight director system.[check quotation syntax]
Engine retrofits
All KC-135s were originally equipped with Pratt & Whitney J-57-P-59W turbojet engines, which produced 10,000 lbf (44 kN) of
thrust dry, and approximately 13,000 lbf (58 kN) of thrust wet. Wet thrust is achieved through the use of water injection on takeoff,
as opposed to "wet thrust" when used to describe an afterburning engine. 670 US gallons (2,500 L) of water are injected into the
engines over the course of three minutes. The water is injected into the inlet and the diffuser case in front of the combustion case.
The water cools the air in the engine to increase its density; it also reduces the turbine gas temperature, which is a primary
limitation on many jet engines. This allows the use of more fuel for proper combustion and creates more thrust for short periods of
time, similar in concept to "War Emergency Power" in a piston-engined aircraft.
A nose-on view of several reworked In the 1980s the first modification program retrofitted 157 Air Force Reserve (AFRES) and Air National Guard (ANG) tankers with
KC-135R aircraft taxiing prior to
the Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102 turbofan engines from 707 airliners retired in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The modified
takeoff. The new engines are
tanker, designated the KC-135E, was 14% more fuel-efficient than the KC-135A and could offload 20% more fuel on long-duration
CFM56-2 high-bypass turbofans.
flights. (The difference is that the A-model's empty weight is 104,000 lb (47,000 kg), while the E-model has an empty weight of
115,000 lb (52,000 kg); both have the same maximum takeoff weight. Therefore, the A-model could take off with a maximum fuel
load of 200,000 lb (91,000 kg), while the E-model could only take off with a fuel load of up to 190,000 lb (86,000 kg).) Only the KC-135E aircraft were equipped with thrust-
reversers for aborted takeoffs and shorter landing roll-outs. The KC-135E fleet has since either been retrofitted as the R-model configuration or placed into long-term storage
("XJ"), as Congress has prevented the Air Force from formally retiring them. The final KC-135E, tail number 56-3630, was delivered by the 101st Air Refueling Wing of the
Maine Air National Guard to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in September 2009.[10]
The second modification program retrofitted 500 aircraft with new CFM International CFM56 (military designation: F108) high-
bypass turbofan engines produced by General Electric and Snecma. The CFM56 engine produces approximately 22,500 lbf
(100 kN) of thrust, nearly a 100% increase compared to the original J-57 engine. The modified tanker, designated KC-135R
(modified KC-135A or E) or KC-135T (modified KC-135Q), can offload up to 50% more fuel (on a long-duration sortie), is 25% more
fuel-efficient, and costs 25% less to operate than with the previous engines. It is also significantly quieter than the KC-135A, with
noise levels at takeoff reduced from 126 to 99 decibels.[11][12]
The KC-135R's operational range is 60% greater than the KC-135E for comparable fuel offloads, providing a wider range of basing
options.[13]
Flight deck of KC-135R; instrument
No longer in consideration, upgrading the remaining KC-135Es into KC-135Rs would have cost about US$3 billion, about $24 panel has been modified under the
million per aircraft.[13] According to Air Force data, the KC-135 fleet had a total operation and support cost in fiscal year 2001 of Pacer-CRAG program
about $2.2 billion. The older E model aircraft averaged total costs of about $4.6 million per aircraft, while the R models averaged
about $3.7 million per aircraft. Those costs include personnel, fuel, maintenance, modifications, and spare parts.[14]
Further upgrades and derivatives

The Multi-point Refueling Systems (MPRS) modification adds refueling pods to the KC-135's wings. The pods allow refueling of
U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and most NATO tactical jet aircraft while keeping the tail-mounted refueling boom. The pods
themselves are Flight Refueling Limited (FRL) MK.32B model pods, and refuel via the probe and drogue method common to
USN/USMC tactical jets, rather than the primary "flying boom" method used by USAF fixed-wing aircraft. This allows the tanker to
refuel two receivers at the same time, which increases throughput compared to the boom drogue adapter.[15]
A number of KC-135A and KC-135B aircraft have been modified to EC-135, RC-135 and OC-135 configurations for use in several
different roles (although these could also be considered variants of the C-135 Stratolifter family.
Cutaway of the Flight Refueling
Limited Mk.32B Refueling Pod.
Design
The KC-135R has four turbofan engines, mounted under 35-degree swept wings,[16] which power it to takeoffs at gross weights up
to 322,500 pounds (146,300 kg). 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 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.
Operational history
Introduction into service

The KC-135 was initially purchased to support bombers of the Strategic Air Command, but by the late 1960s, in the Southeast Asia theater,
the KC-135 Stratotanker's ability as a force multiplier came to the fore. Midair refueling of F-105 and F-4 fighter-bombers as well as B-52
bombers brought far-flung bombing targets within reach, and allowed fighter missions to spend hours at the front, rather than a few
minutes, which was usual due to their limited fuel reserves and high fuel consumption. KC-135 crews refueled both Air Force and Navy /
Marine Corps aircraft; though they would have to change to probe and drogue adapters depending upon the mission, the Navy and Marine
Corps not having fitted their aircraft with flying boom receptacles since the USAF boom system was impractical for aircraft carrier
operations. Crews also helped to bring in damaged aircraft which could sometimes fly while being fed by fuel to a landing site or to ditch
over the water (specifically those with punctured fuel tanks). KC-135s continued their tactical support role in later conflicts such as
Operation Desert Storm and current aerial strategy.
The Strategic Air Command (SAC) had the KC-135 Stratotanker in service with Regular Air Force SAC units from 1957 through 1992 and
with SAC-gained Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve (AFRES) units from 1975 through 1992.[17] Following a major USAF
An F-15 backs out after reorganization that resulted in the inactivation of SAC in 1992, most KC-135s were reassigned to the newly created Air Mobility Command
refueling from a KC-135R. (AMC).[18] While AMC gained the preponderance of the aerial refueling mission, a small number of KC-135s were also assigned directly to
United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). All Air
Force Reserve Command (AFRC) KC-135s and most of the Air National Guard (ANG) KC-135 fleet became operationally-gained by AMC,
while Alaska Air National Guard and Hawaii Air National Guard KC-135s became operationally-gained by PACAF.
Air Mobility Command (AMC) manages 414 Stratotankers, of which the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air National Guard (ANG) fly 247 in support of AMC's
mission as of May 2014.[19] The KC-135 is one of a few military aircraft types with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator as of 2009.[20][21]
Israel was offered KC-135s again in 2013, after turning down the aging aircraft twice due to expense of keeping them flying.[22][23] The IAF again rejected the offered KC-135Es,
but said that it would consider up to a dozen of the newer KC-135Rs.[24]
Research usage
Besides its primary role as an inflight aircraft refueler, the KC-135, designated NKC-135, has assisted in several research projects at
the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. One such project occurred between 1979 and 1980
when special wingtip "winglets", developed by Richard Whitcomb of the Langley Research Center, were tested at Dryden, using an
NKC-135A tanker loaned to NASA by the Air Force. Winglets are small, nearly vertical fins installed on an aircraft's wing tips. The
results of the research showed that drag was reduced and range could be increased by as much as 7 percent at cruise speeds.[25][26]
Winglets are now being incorporated into most new commercial and military transport/passenger jets, as well as business aviation
jets.
NASA also has operated several KC-135 aircraft (without the tanker equipment installed) as their famed Vomit Comet zero-gravity KC-135 winglet flight tests at Dryden
Flight Research Center.
simulator aircraft. The longest-serving (1973 to 1995) version was KC-135A, AF Ser. No. 59-1481, named Weightless Wonder IV
and registered as N930NA.[27]
Replacing the KC-135

The Air Force projected that E and R models have lifetime flying hour limits of 36,000 and 39,000 hours, respectively. According to the Air Force, only a few KC-135s would
reach these limits by 2040, when some aircraft would be about 80 years old. The Air Force estimated that their current fleet of KC-135s have between 12,000 and 14,000
flying hours on them-only 33 percent of the lifetime flying hour limit.[13]
Between 1993 and 2003, the amount of KC-135 depot maintenance work doubled, and the overhaul cost per aircraft tripled.[28] In
1996, it cost $8,400 per flight hour for the KC-135, and in 2002 this had grown to $11,000. The Air Force’s 15-year estimates
project further significant cost growth through fiscal year 2017. KC-135 fleet operations and support costs are estimated to grow
from about $2.2 billion in fiscal year 2003 to $5.1 billion (2003 dollars) in fiscal year 2017, an increase of over 130 percent, which
represents an annual growth rate of about 6.2 percent.[29]
In 2006, the KC-135E fleet was flying an annual average of 350 hours per aircraft and the KC-135R fleet was flying an annual
average of 710 hours per aircraft. The KC-135 fleet is currently flying double its planned yearly flying hour program to meet
KC-135Rs at twilight on the flight airborne refueling requirements, and has resulted in higher than forecast usage and sustainment costs.[30] In March 2009, the Air
line Force indicated that KC-135s would require additional skin replacement to allow their continued use beyond 2018.[31]
The USAF decided to replace the KC-135 fleet. However, the KC-135 fleet is large and
will need to be replaced gradually. Initially the first batch of replacement planes was to be an air tanker version of the Boeing 767,
leased from Boeing. In 2003, this was changed to contract where the Air Force would purchase 80 KC-767 aircraft and lease 20
more.[32] In December 2003, the Pentagon froze the contract and in January 2006, the KC-767 contract was canceled. This
followed public revelations of corruption in how the contract was awarded, as well as controversy regarding the original leasing
rather than outright purchase agreement. Then Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld stated that this move will in no way impair the Air
Force's ability to deliver the mission of the KC-767, which will be accomplished by continuing upgrades to the KC-135 and KC-10
View from the boom operator's
Extender fleet.
hatch as a F-35 takes on fuel from a
KC-135 of the 912d ARS
In January 2007, the U.S. Air Force formally launched the KC-X program with a request for proposal (RFP). KC-X is first phase of
three acquisition programs to replace the KC-135 fleet.[33] On 29 February 2008, the US Defense Department announced that it
had selected the EADS/Northrop Grumman "KC-30" (to be designated the KC-45A) over the Boeing KC-767.[34][35][36] Boeing protested the award on 11 March 2008, citing
irregularities in the competition and bid evaluation.[37] On 18 June 2008, the US Government Accountability Office sustained Boeing's protest of the selection of the Northrop
Grumman/EADS's tanker.[38] In February 2010, the US Air Force restarted the KC-X competition with the release of a revised request for proposal (RFP).[39][40] After
evaluating bids, the USAF selected Boeing's 767-based tanker design, with the military designation KC-46, as a replacement in February 2011.[41]
Variants
See Boeing C-135 Stratolifter for further details on the C-135 family.
KC-135A
Original production version powered by four Pratt & Whitney J57s, 732 built. Given the Boeing model
numbers 717-100A, 717-146 and 717-148.[42]
NKC-135A
Test-configured KC-135A.
KC-135B
Airborne command post version equipped with turbofan engines, 17 built. Provided with in-flight
refueling capability and redesignated EC-135C.[43] Given the model number 717-166.[42]
KC-135D
All four RC-135As (Pacer Swan) were modified to partial KC-135A configuration in 1979.[44][45] The
four aircraft (serial numbers 63-8058, 63-8059, 63-8060 and 63-8061) were given a unique designation
KC-135D as they differed from the KC-135A in that they were built with a flight engineer's position on
the flight deck.[46] The flight engineer's position was removed when the aircraft were modified to KC-
135 standards but they retained their electrically powered wing flap secondary (emergency) drive
mechanism and second air conditioning pack which had been used to cool the RC-135As on-board
photo-mapping systems.[47] Later re-engined with Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines and a cockpit update
to KC-135E standards in 1990 and were retired to the 309th AMARG at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ in
2007.[45][48]
KC-135E Active KC-135 aircraft liveries
Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve KC-135As re-engined with Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102
engines from retired 707 airliners (161 modified). All E model aircraft were retired to the 309th AMARG
at Davis-Monthan AFB by September 2009 and replaced with R models.[10][49]
NKC-135E
Test-configured KC-135E.
KC-135Q
KC-135As modified to carry JP-7 fuel necessary for the SR-71 Blackbird, 56 modified,[43] survivors to KC-135T.
KC-135R (1960s)
4 JC/KC-135As converted to Rivet Stand (Later Rivet Quick) configuration for reconnaissance and evaluation of above ground nuclear test
(55-3121, 59-1465, 59-1514, 58-0126; 58-0126 replaced 59-1465 after it crashed in 1967). These aircraft were powered by Pratt & Whitney
J57 Engines and were based at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
KC-135R
KC-135As and some KC-135Es re-engined with CFM-56 engines, at least 361 converted.
KC-135R(RT)
Receiver-capable KC-135R Stratotanker; eight modified with either a Boeing or LTV receiver system and a secure voice SATCOM radio.
Three of the aircraft (60-0356, -0357, and -0362) were converted to tankers from RC-135Ds, from which they retained their added
equipment.
KC-135T
KC-135Q re-engined with CFM-56 engines, 54 modified.
EC-135Y
An airborne command post modified in 1984 to support CINCCENT. Aircraft 55-3125 was the only EC-
135Y. Unlike its sister EC-135N, it was a true tanker that could also receive in-flight refueling. Pratt &
Whitney TF-33-PW-102. Currently retired to 309th AMARG at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
Operators Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (code

62-3567) of the Turkish Air Force
Chile arrives at the 2016 Royal
International Air Tattoo, England
Chilean Air Force operates 3 KC-135Es. It received its first KC-135E in February 2010.[50]
France
French Air Force operates 11 C-135FRs and 3 KC-135Rs.
Singapore
Republic of Singapore Air Force operates 4 former USAF KC-135R tankers;[51] they are occasionally used as VIP, aeromedical transports and military support.[52]
Turkey
Turkish Air Force operates 7 KC-135Rs.
United States
NASA (until 2004)

United States Air Force operates 398 KC-135s (156 Active duty, 70 Air Force Reserve, and 172 Air National Guard) as of
May 2017.[53]
Air Combat Command
57th Wing - Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada Six KC-135 Stratotankers
demonstrate the elephant walk
509th Weapons Squadron - Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington formation.
Air Education and Training Command
97th Air Mobility Wing – Altus AFB, Oklahoma
54th Air Refueling Squadron

Air Force Materiel Command
412th Test Wing - Edwards AFB, California
412th Flight Test Squadron

418th Flight Test Squadron
Air Mobility Command

Cargo door of a USAF KC-135 of
6th Air Mobility Wing – MacDill AFB, Florida the 452d AMW at March Air
Reserve Base
91st Air Refueling Squadron
99th Air Refueling Squadron – Birmingham Air National Guard Base, Alabama (Associate with
117th ARW)
911th Air Refueling Squadron – Seymour-Johnson AFB, North Carolina (Associate with 916th ARW)
22d Air Refueling Wing – McConnell AFB, Kansas
64th Air Refueling Squadron - Pease ANGB, New Hampshire (Associate with 157th ARW)
92d Air Refueling Wing – Fairchild AFB, Washington
92d Air Refueling Squadron

912th Air Refueling Squadron - March ARB, California (Associate with 452d ARW)
375th Air Mobility Wing – Scott AFB, Illinois
906th Air Refueling Squadron (associate with 126th ARW)
Pacific Air Forces
18th Wing – Kadena AB, Japan
United States Air Forces in Europe
100th Air Refueling Wing – RAF Mildenhall, England
Air Force Reserve Command
434th Air Refueling Wing – Grissom ARB, Indiana

452d Air Mobility Wing – March ARB, California
459th Air Refueling Wing – Andrews AFB, Maryland
507th Air Refueling Wing – Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

730th Air Mobility Training Squadron (Altus AFB, Oklahoma)
916th Air Refueling Wing – Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
927th Air Refueling Wing - MacDill AFB, Florida (Associate with 6th AMW)
931st Air Refueling Group - McConnell AFB, Kansas (Associate with 22d ARW)
Air National Guard
101st Air Refueling Wing – Bangor, Maine
132d Air Refueilng Squadron
108th Air Refueling Wing – McGuire AFB, New Jersey

117th Air Refueling Wing – Birmingham, Alabama
121st Air Refueling Wing – Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
126th Air Refueling Wing – Scott AFB. Illinois
127th Wing – Selfridge ANGB, Michigan
128th Air Refueling Wing - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
134th Air Refueling Wing – Knoxville, Tennessee
137th Air Refueling Wing - Tinker AFB, Oklahoma (Associate with 507th ARW)
141st Air Refueling Wing – Fairchild AFB, Washington (Associate with 92d ARW)
151st Air Refueling Wing – Salt Lake City, Utah
154th Wing – Hickam AFB, Hawaii
155th Air Refueling Wing – Lincoln, Nebraska
173rd Air Refueling Squadron
157th Air Refueling Wing – Pease ANGB, New Hampshire
161st Air Refueling Wing – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport / Goldwater Air National Guard Base, Arizona
168th Air Refueling Wing – Eielson AFB, Alaska
171st Air Refueling Wing – Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania

185th Air Refueling Wing – Sioux City, Iowa
186th Air Refueling Wing – Meridian, Mississippi
190th Air Refueling Wing – Topeka, Kansas
Note Italy has been reported in some sources as operating several KC-135s,[54] however these are actually Boeing 707-300s converted to tanker configuration.[55][56]
Accidents
On 27 June 1958, USAF KC-135A, serial number 56-3599, stalled and crashed at Westover Air Force Base after the crew failed to retract the flaps on takeoff, killing all
15 on board. The aircraft was attempting a world speed record between New York and London.[57]
On 31 March 1959, USAF KC-135A, 58-0002, entered a thunderstorm near Killeen, Texas. Two engines separated and one of the engines struck the tail, causing loss of
control. The aircraft crashed on a hillside, killing all four crew on board. The aircraft had been delivered just six weeks before the accident.[58]
On 15 October 1959, USAF KC-135A, 57-1513, collided in mid-air with B-52F 57-0036 at 32,000 feet over Leitchfield, Kentucky, killing all six on board both aircraft.[59]
On 3 February 1960, USAF KC-135A, 56-3628, crashed on takeoff in extremely gusty crosswind conditions at Roswell-Walker AFB, NM. The airplane skidded into two
other KC-135 tankers (57-1449 and 57-1457) and a hangar and burst into flames. The aircraft was on a training flight, but the instructor pilot was occupying the jump seat
instead of one of the pilot seats as directed by the local commander. The destruction of three aircraft, along with six fatalities among the crew and an additional two on the
ground made this a unique mishap.[60]
On 18 November 1960, USAF KC-135A, 56-3605, crashed on landing at Loring Air Force Base due to an excessive sink rate, killing one of 17 on board.[61]
On 9 May 1962, USAF KC-135A, 56-3618, crashed on takeoff from Loring Air Force Base due to engine failure, killing all six on board.[62]
On 10 September 1962, USAF KC-135A, 60-0352 on a flight from Ellsworth Air Force Base to Fairchild Air Force Base crashed into a mountain just 20 miles (32 km)
northeast of Spokane, Washington. The flight hit fog on approach to the air base and hit Mount Kit Carson, a 5,271 ft mountain. The crash killed all four crew and 40
passengers on board.[63]
On 27 February 1963, USAF KC-135A, 56-3597, crashed on takeoff at Eielson Air Force Base due to engine separation, killing all seven on board; two on the ground
died when debris from the crash struck a guard house and nearby waiting room.[64]
On 21 June 1963, USAF KC-135A-BN Stratotanker, 57-1498 out of Westover AFB crashed on approach during a training flight in a wooded area near Belchertown, MA.
One of the four occupants was killed.[65]
On 28 August 1963, USAF KC-135A, 61-0322, collided in mid-air with KC-135A 61-0319 in the so-called Bermuda Triangle, killing all 11 on board both aircraft.[66][67]
On 8 July 1964, USAF KC-135A, 60-0340, collided in mid-air with F-105 Thunderchief 61-0091 during in-flight refueling over Death Valley, California, killing all five on
board both aircraft.[68]
On 4 January 1965, USAF KC-135A, 61-0265, crashed on climbout from Loring Air Force Base after two engines separated, killing all four on board.[69]
On 16 January 1965, USAF KC-135A 57-1442, crashed after its rudder control system suffered a malfunction[70] shortly after takeoff from McConnell Air Force Base,
Kansas.[71] The fuel-laden plane crashed at a street intersection and caused a considerable fire. A total of 30 were killed, including 23 on the ground and the seven
member crew.[72]
On 26 February 1965, USAF KC-135A, 63-8882, collided in mid-air with B-47E 52-0171 over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all eight on board both aircraft.[73]
On 3 June 1965, USAF KC-135A, 63-0842, lost electrical power on takeoff and crashed at Walker Air Force Base, killing all five on board.[74]
On 17 January 1966, a fatal collision occurred between a B-52G, 58-0256, and a KC-135A, 61-0273, flying out of Moron AB, Spain while flying over Palomares, Spain.
The B-52G was on an Operation Chrome Dome mission, which required multiple air refuelings.[75] The mishap caused both aircraft to break up in mid-air and killed all
four crew members on the KC-135A and three of the seven on the B-52G, while causing radiological contamination, as a nuclear weapon had to be recovered from the
sea nearby.[76]
On 19 May 1966, USAF KC-135A, 57-1444, of 4252nd Strategic Wing, crashed on takeoff from Kadena Air Base, killing all 11 on board as well as a motorist on nearby
Highway 16. The aircraft was bound for Yokota Air Base to repair a KC-135 when it lifted off too soon during a heavy-weight takeoff.[77]
On 19 January 1967, USAF KC-135A, 56-3613, crashed into Shadow Mountain, foothill of Mount Spokane (elevation 4,340 ft MSL) while descending towards Fairchild
Air Force Base, killing all nine on board.[78]
On 17 January 1968, USAF KC-135A, 58-0026, stalled and crashed at Minot Air Force Base after the pilot, 15th Air Force Vice Commander MGen Charles Eisenhart,
overrotated the aircraft during takeoff in a snowstorm, killing all 13 on board. This accident was instrumental in the decision to refit the KC-135 fleet with the Collins FD-
109(V) integrated flight director system, in place of the earlier "round dial" cockpit layout.[79]
On 30 July 1968, USAF KC-135A, 56-3655, crashed on Mount Lassen after the vertical stabilizer broke off after a sharp turn while practicing an emergency descent,
killing all nine on board.[80]
On 24 September 1968, USAF KC-135A, "55-3133A", crashed on landing at Wake Island, Micronesia. Aircraft developed engine problems while en route from Andersen
AFB, Guam to Hickam AFB, HI and during landing at Wake Island the aircraft contacted the surface of the water and bounced onto the east end of the runway.[81] There
were 11 fatalities out 56 persons on board.[82]
On 1 October 1968, USAF KC-135A, 55-3138, struck concrete and steel light poles on takeoff and crashed at U-Tapao Airport, Thailand after a loss of power in an engine
and resultant loss of control, killing all four on board.[83]
On 22 October 1968, USAF KC-135A, 61-0301, flew into a mountain while descending to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan, killing all six on board.[84]
On 19 December 1969, USAF KC-135A, 56-3629, crashed into the sea on climbout from Ching Chuan Kang Air Base due to low-level windshear, killing all four on
board.[85]
On 3 June 1971, USAF KC-135Q, 58-0039, exploded in mid-air and crashed at Centenera, Spain, killing all five on board.[86]
On 13 March 1972, KC-135A, 58-0048, crashed while landing at Carswell AFB. Its right wing struck the ground, which led to the airplane exploding and killing all 5 on
board.[87]
On 8 March 1973, USAF KC-135A, 63-7989, collided with KC-135 63-7980 on the ramp at Lockbourne Air Force Base and caught fire, killing two of five on board.[88]
On 7 December 1975, USAF KC-135A, 60-0354, from Plattsburgh AFB, NY, crashed after takeoff at Eielson AFB, AK, killing all four crewmembers.[89] Launch was
delayed because of problems with the receiver aircraft. The KC-135 was required to sit at the end of the runway in extremely cold weather, without heat, with engines
shut down. Repeated requests for a mobile heat source were denied by the command post. Landing gear failed to retract after takeoff. Crewmembers may have suffered
from hypothermia.[90]
On 6 February 1976, USAF KC-135A, 60-0368, flew into a mountain while descending to Torrejon Air Base, Spain, killing all seven on board. The aircraft was assigned to
the 410th BMW/46th AREFS at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan, but, as is often the case on Tanker Task Force deployed operations, the flight crew was from another SAC
unit at Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC.[91] Only two aircraft crew chiefs on board were from K I Sawyer AFB, MI.[92]
On 26 September 1976, USAF KC-135A, 61-0296, crashed while on approach to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, killing 15 passengers and flight crew on board.
The aircraft was flying a "First Team" mission taking 10 passengers to HQ-Strategic Air Command for briefings and orientation. The crew became distracted by a cabin
pressurization problem after an intermediate stop and descended into a wooded area about 12 miles southwest of Alpena, Michigan. There was one survivor, reportedly a
crew chief who was in the boom operator aft station (boom pod) at the time of the crash.[93]
On 29 April 1977, USAF KC-135A, 58-0101 from Castle AFB hit five or six cows while practicing night takeoffs and landings at Beale AFB. Takeoff was aborted and the
plane overran the runway and caught on fire. Of the crew of 7, there were no fatalities. During that time cattle strayed through a broken fence from a nearby field and onto
the runway.[94]
On 19 September 1979, USAF KC-135A, 58-0127, from Castle AFB crashed on the runway during a simulated engine failure on a training flight, killing 15 of 20
occupants on board.[94]
On 13 March 1982, Arizona ANG KC-135A, 57-1489 collided in mid-air with a civilian Grumman-American AA-1 Yankee near Luke AFB, AZ. The collision, which occurred
as the tanker was descending on an IFR flight plan through an undercast, was struck by the civilian aircraft operating VFR just below the cloud deck, causing the tail of
the KC-135 to be severed by the force of the impact. The two civilians on the AA-1 and four military personnel on the KC-135 were killed. Included among the dead was
the squadron commander of the 197th AREFS, Lt Col James N. Floor.[95]
On 19 March 1982, USAF KC-135A, 58-0031, exploded in mid-air at 13,700 feet and crashed at Greenwood, Illinois, due to a possible overheated fuel pump, killing all 27
on board.[96]
On 28 August 1985, USAF KC-135A 59-1443 was damaged beyond repair when a student pilot allowed an engine to contact the runway during a landing attempt at
Beale Air Force Base near Marysville, California. During the go-around the instructor lost control of the aircraft while performing checklist items for an in-flight fire. All
seven (three instructors and four students) aboard the aircraft died in the crash.[97]
On 17 June 1986, USAF KC-135A,63-7983, crashed while en route to Howard AFB, Panama. It struck a hill south of the nearby Rodman Naval Station, killing all four
crew members on board.[98] The tanker and crew were based at Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana.[99]
On 13 March 1987, USAF KC-135A, 60-0361, crashed at Fairchild Air Force Base after encountering wake turbulence from a B-52, while practicing a low-level refueling
display. The aircraft rolled 80 degrees to the left, which stalled both left side engines (#1 and #2). The crew was able to recover to wings level, but were too low and
impacted the ground in an open area of the base. The accident killed all six on board and one person on the ground.[100][101]
On 11 October 1988, USAF KC-135A, 60-0317, crashed at Wurtsmith Force Base after a hard landing following a steep approach in severe crosswind. The airplane went
off the side of the runway and broke up. A fire erupted and killed all six crewmembers on board, while 10 passengers were able to jump to safety.[102] Pilot error was
determined as the cause of the accident.[103]
On 31 January 1989, a USAF KC-135A, 63-7990, crashed on takeoff from Dyess AFB, TX after the water-injection system for the Pratt & Whitney J-57 engines failed and
the remaining "dry" thrust was insufficient for flight at the takeoff gross weight. The mission was scheduled as a non-stop flight to Hickam AFB/Honolulu HI with an en
route F-16 air refueling mission. In addition to the 7 crew members, 12 passengers, including military spouses, retired military members and one child, were killed.[104]
The aircraft and crew were based at K I Sawyer AFB, MI.[91]
On 20 September 1989, USAF KC-135E, 57-1481, exploded on the ground at Eielson Air Force Base due to an overheated fuel pump, killing two of seven on board. The
crew was shutting down the engines when the explosion occurred.[105]
On 4 October 1989, a KC-135A Stratotanker, 56-3592, from en route from Loring Air Force Base crashed into a hill along the west side of Trans-Canada Highway 2 2 mi
(3.2 km) north of Perth-Andover, New Brunswick in Carlingford, New Brunswick due to an overheated fuel pump, killing all four crew members.[106] After five accidents
involving fuel pump overheating, crews were to keep 3000 pounds of fuel in the tank.[107]
On 13 January 1999, a Washington Air National Guard KC-135E, 59-1452, crashed on approach in Geilenkirchen, Germany due to the horizontal stabilizer being in a 7.5
nose-up trim condition, killing 4 crew members.[108]
On 7 April 1999, an Air National Guard KC-135R, 57-1418, was damaged beyond repair while undergoing a cabin pressurization check while in depot maintenance at the
Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. During a previous maintenance event, the pressure relief valves were secured shut and not released
afterwards. This created a catastrophic explosion that nearly separated the empennage from the aircraft and destroyed the aft fuselage section. No personnel were
injured or killed during the mishap, but the aircraft was a total loss.[109]
On 26 September 2006, a USAF KC-135R, 63-8886, was damaged beyond economical repair when it was struck by a Tupolev Tu-154 of Altyn Air, EX-85718, while
stopped on a taxiway after landing at Manas Air Base. As the Tu-154 took off, its right wing struck the fairing of the KC-135R's No. 1 engine. The force of the impact
nearly severed the No. 1 engine and destroyed a portion of the left wing. The resulting fire caused extensive damage to the KC-135. The Tu-154 lost about 6 feet of its
right wingtip, but was able to get airborne and return to the airport for an emergency landing. The tanker crew had been directed to use a taxiway which was not usable
for night operations and the controller failed to note that they reported "holding short" of that taxiway, rather than "clear of" that point. The crew of the KC-135 evacuated
the aircraft without serious injuries.[110]
On 3 May 2013, a McConnell AFB, KS (USAF) KC-135R, 63-8877, flown by a Fairchild AFB, Washington aircrew, broke up in flight about eight minutes after taking off
from Manas Air base in Kyrgyzstan, killing all three crew members.[111][112] After investigation, it was determined that a rudder power control unit malfunction led to a
Dutch roll oscillatory instability. Not recognizing the Dutch roll, the crew used the rudder to stay on course, which exacerbated the instability, leading to an unrecoverable
flight condition. The over-stressed tail section detached and the aircraft broke apart soon after. The aircraft was at cruise altitude about 200 km west of Bishkek before it
crashed in a mountainous area near the village of Chorgolu, close to the border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.[113][114][115][116]
Aircraft on display
55-3118 The City of Renton – KC-135A on static display at the entrance to McConnell Air Force Base near Wichita, Kansas. It was the first aircraft built and was used in a
variety of test roles. It was later converted to an EC-135K before reverting to a tanker configuration.[117]
55-3130 Old Grandad – KC-135A on static display at the March Field Air Museum, March ARB (former March AFB) in Riverside, California.[118]
55-3139 City of Atwater – KC-135A on static display at the Castle Air Museum at the former Castle AFB in Atwater, California.[119][120]
56-3595 – KC-135A on static display at the Barksdale Global Power Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana.[121][122]
56-3611 – KC-135E on static display Scott Field Heritage Air Park at Scott Air Force Base near Shiloh, Illinois.[123][124][125]
56-3639 – KC-135A on static display at the Linear Air Park at Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, Texas.[126]
56-3658 Iron Eagle – KC-135E on static display at the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, Kansas.[127][128]
57-1429 – KC-135E on static display at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard at Forbes Field Air National Guard Base in Topeka, Kansas.[129][130]
57-1458 – KC-135E on static display at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska.[131][132]
57-1495 – KC-135E in storage at Lincoln Air National Guard Base in Lincoln, Nebraska.[133][134]
57-1507 – KC-135E on static display at the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware.[135]
57-1510 Never Forget – KC-135E on static display at the Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah.[136]
59-1481 – KC-135A on static display at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas. It was operated by NASA as N930NA and one of two KC-135s used for
zero-gravity and other research purposes.[137]
59-1487 – KC-135E on static display at the 126th Air Refueling Wing / Illinois Air National Guard complex at Scott Air Force Base near Shiloh, Illinois.[138][139]
59-1497 – KC-135E on static display at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Wrightstown, New Jersey.[140][141]
63-7998 – KC-135A on static display at the Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. It was operated by NASA as N931NA and is
the second of their two research aircraft.[142]
63-8005 – KC-135A on static display at Grand Forks AFB in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Specifications (KC-135R)
Data from USAF Fact Sheet,[19] Boeing[143]
General characteristics
Crew: three: pilot, co-pilot and boom operator. (Some KC-135 missions require the addition of a navigator.)
Capacity: 80 passengers
Payload: 83,000 lb (37,600 kg)
Length: 136 ft 3 in (41.53 m)
Wingspan: 130 ft 10 in (39.88 m)
Tail of an Air Force Reserve
Height: 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m)
Command KC-135R tanker showing
Wing area: 2,433 ft² (226 m²)
refueling boom
Empty weight: 98,466 lb (44,663 kg)
Useful load: 200,000 lb (90,700 kg)
Loaded weight: 297,000 lb (135,000 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 322,500 lb (146,000 kg)
Maximum Fuel Load: 200,000 lb (90,719 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × CFM International CFM56 (F108-CF-100) turbofan, 21,634 lbf (96.2 kN) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 580 mph (933 km/h)

Cruise speed: 530 mph (853 km/h) at 30,000 feet (9,144 m)
Range: 1,500 mi (2,419 km) with 150,000 lb (68,039 kg) of transfer fuel
Boom-drogue adapter refueling a
Ferry range: 11,015 mi (17,766 km)
U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (1,490 m/min)
See also
Vomit Comet
1966 Palomares B-52 crash
List of United States military aerial refueling aircraft
Related development
Boeing 367-80
Boeing C-135 Stratolifter
Boeing C-137 Stratoliner
Boeing 707
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Airbus A310 MRTT

Airbus A330 MRTT/Northrop Grumman KC-45
Airbus CC-150 Polaris
Boeing KC-767/Boeing KC-46 Pegasus
Ilyushin Il-78
Lockheed Martin KC-130
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External links
USAF KC-135 fact sheet (http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104524/kc-135-stratotanker.aspx) and KC-135 photo gallery at official USAF
website (http://www.af.mil/photos/index.asp?galleryID=38)
KC-135 history page (http://www.boeing.com/history/products/kc-135-stratotanker.page) and KC-135 image gallery on Boeing.com (https://web.archive.org/web/2006120
6212916/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/kc135-strat/kc135photos.html)
KC-135 page on awacs-spotter.nl (http://www.awacs-spotter.nl/index.htm)
Photo gallery of NASA's KC-135A tanker (https://web.archive.org/web/20070203091713/http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/KC-135/index.html)
KC-135 page at globalsecurity.org (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/kc-135.htm)
KC-135 page at fas.org (https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/kc-135r.htm) - (not updated since late 1999, but still perhaps useful)
C-135 page at aero-web.org (https://web.archive.org/web/20070222054257/http://www.aero-web.org/locator/manufact/boeing/c-135.htm) - Includes specs for many
variants
Smart Tankers (Defence Today) (https://web.archive.org/web/20061209061350/http://www.ausairpower.net/DT-Smart-AAR-0705.pdf)
The short film 15 AF HERITAGE - HIGH STRATEGY - BOMBER AND TANKERS TEAM (1980) (https://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.52240) is available for free
download at the Internet Archive
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What is the KC-135 Stratotanker?

What is the KC-135 Stratotanker?

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What are some of the variants of the KC-135?

3/21/2018 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker - Wikipedia

Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Variants Produced 1955–1965

Further upgrades and derivatives

Introduction into service

Replacing the KC-135

Operators Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (code

French Air Force operates 11 C-135FRs and 3 KC-135Rs.

Turkish Air Force operates 7 KC-135Rs.

NASA (until 2004)

Air Combat Command

Air Education and Training Command

97th Air Mobility Wing – Altus AFB, Oklahoma

54th Air Refueling Squadron

Air Force Materiel Command

412th Test Wing - Edwards AFB, California

412th Flight Test Squadron

Air Mobility Command

22d Air Refueling Wing – McConnell AFB, Kansas

92d Air Refueling Wing – Fairchild AFB, Washington

92d Air Refueling Squadron

375th Air Mobility Wing – Scott AFB, Illinois

906th Air Refueling Squadron (associate with 126th ARW)

Pacific Air Forces

18th Wing – Kadena AB, Japan

909th Air Refueling Squadron

United States Air Forces in Europe

100th Air Refueling Wing – RAF Mildenhall, England

351st Air Refueling Squadron

Air Force Reserve Command

434th Air Refueling Wing – Grissom ARB, Indiana

72d Air Refueling Squadron

452d Air Mobility Wing – March ARB, California

336th Air Refueling Squadron

459th Air Refueling Wing – Andrews AFB, Maryland

756th Air Refueling Squadron

507th Air Refueling Wing – Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

465th Air Refueling Squadron

916th Air Refueling Wing – Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina

77th Air Refueling Squadron

63d Air Refueling Squadron

18th Air Refueling Squadron

Air National Guard

101st Air Refueling Wing – Bangor, Maine

132d Air Refueilng Squadron

108th Air Refueling Wing – McGuire AFB, New Jersey

141st Air Refueling Squadron

150th Air Refueling Squadron

117th Air Refueling Wing – Birmingham, Alabama

106th Air Refueling Squadron

121st Air Refueling Wing – Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio

166th Air Refueling Squadron

126th Air Refueling Wing – Scott AFB. Illinois

108th Air Refueling Squadron

127th Wing – Selfridge ANGB, Michigan

171st Air Refueling Squadron