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KC-135 Stratotanker Related News »

• Boeing Statement on GAO Tanker Protest Report
• Northrop Grumman Stands Ready to Support Air Force Tanker Decision
• Korea, U.S. join forces for Exercise Max Thunder
• Boeing, Northrop Statements on GAO Decision
• GAO Recommends USAF to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid Process

Background

Air Mobility Command manages more than 490 total aircraft inventory Stratotankers, of which the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard fly 271 of those in support of AMC's mission.

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 732-plane 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, more than 410 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, 157 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. RC-135s are used for special reconnaissance and Air Force Materiel Command's NKC-135A's are flown in test programs. The Air Combat Command operates the OC-135 as an observation platform in compliance with the Open Skies Treaty.

In Southeast Asia, KC-135 Stratotankers made the air war different from all previous aerial conflicts. Midair refueling brought far-flung bombing targets within reach. Combat aircraft, no longer limited by fuel supplies, were able to spend more time in target areas.

Over the next few years, the aircraft will undergo upgrades to expand its capabilities and improve its reliability. Among these are improved communications, navigation and surveillance equipment to meet future civil air traffic control needs.

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 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.
Some aircraft have been configured with the Mulitpoint Refueling System or MPRS. MPRS configured aircraft are capable of refueling two receiver aircraft simultaneously from special "PODS" mounted on the wingtips. One crewmember, known as the boom operator, is stationed in the rear of the plane and controls the boom during in-flight air refueling.
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.

Recent developments:

Jun. 26th, 2008 | Boeing Statement on GAO Tanker Protest Report

ST. LOUIS, June 25, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today responded to the public release of the full redacted Government Accountability Office (GAO) report sustaining the company's protest of the U.S. Air Force's award of a $35 billion contract to Northrop Grumman/EADS to supply the service with its next-generation aerial refueling aircraft. Boeing released the following statement on the 67-page report from Mark McGraw, vice president, Tanker Programs: "Our initial review of the full redacted...
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Jun. 25th, 2008 | Northrop Grumman Stands Ready to Support Air Force Tanker Decision

WASHINGTON -- June 25, 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) said, today, that it continues to support the United States Air Force and looks forward to its next steps regarding the direction of the KC-45 tanker program. This follows today's public release of the full Government Accountability Office (GAO) analysis of the original tanker contract award to Northrop Grumman. "The document makes clear that the GAO's issues with the contract do not reflect on the tankers' capabilities. ...
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Jun. 20th, 2008 | Korea, U.S. join forces for Exercise Max Thunder

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) -- Airmen and aircraft from units across the Pacific Air Forces descended June 16 to participate in Exercise Max Thunder here. Hosted by Kunsan Air Base officials, Max Thunder is a bi-lateral training exercise intended to increase interoperability between Korean and U.S. forces. The exercise will conclude June 20. "We live here together ... we will go together. It's important that we exercise together," said Col. J. Bryan Bearden, the 8th Fighter Wing c...
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Jun. 18th, 2008 | Boeing, Northrop Statements on GAO Decision

Boeing Statement on Tanker Protest Ruling ST. LOUIS, June 18, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] was informed today that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found in Boeing's favor on a number of issues related to its protest of the U.S. Air Force's award of a $35 billion contract to supply the service with its next-generation aerial refueling aircraft – or KC-X tankers – to begin replacing the current fleet of KC-135 tankers. In response to the ruling, Boeing released the follo...
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Jun. 18th, 2008 | GAO Recommends USAF to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid Process

Washington, DC - (June 18, 2008) - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today sustained the Boeing Company’s protest of the Department of the Air Force’s award of a contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation for KC-X aerial refueling tankers. Boeing challenged the Air Force’s technical and cost evaluations, conduct of discussions, and source selection decision. “Our review of the record led us to conclude that the Air Force had made a number of significant ...
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KC-135 Stratotanker Related News »

• U.S. Air Force's Second KC-45 Tanker Airframe Completes Test Flights
• Name the Tanker: Leaders seek inputs from Airmen
• Groundbreaking for the KC-45 Tanker Manufacturing Facilities Set for June 28
• Alaska ANG KC-135s provide 'edge' anytime, anywhere
• Boeing KC-767 Tanker: 'Sized Right for the Fight'
• Northrop Grumman KC-45: Why We Won - Versatility
• Boeing: KC-767 Tanker Adds Up to Best Value for Warfighter, Taxpayers
• Boeing KC-767 Tanker Determined More Survivable in USAF Evaluation
• Boeing: Study Projects That As Oil Prices Climb, 767 Tanker Most Cost Efficient
• Boeing Protests U.S. Air Force Tanker Contract Award
• Boeing to File Protest of U.S. Air Force Tanker Contract Award
• New tanker to bring increased capabilities to warfighter
• AMC commander welcomes tanker announcement
• Gripen in-flight re-fuels with French KC135
• KC-30 Tanker Successfully Completes In-Flight Contact With An F-16
• Date for tanker contract award changed again
• Boeing Wins $1.1 Billion KC-135 Tanker Maintenance Contract
• Northrop's First KC-30 Tanker Completes Initial Assembly in 30 Days
• Air Force officials evaluating KC-X proposals
• Northrop Grumman to Bid on KC-135 Tanker Replacement Program

All KC-135 Stratotanker News Articles »

Specifications

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