Fact Sheet 92-21
KC-135 Stratotanker

Mission

     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.

Features

     Four turbojets, mounted under wings swept 35 degrees, power the KC-
135. 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, is 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 holds 
passengers or cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 
can carry up to 83,000 pounds (37,350 kilograms) of cargo.

Background

     The Boeing Military Airplane 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 of 732. 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-135A was delivered to the Air Force in 1965.

     In Southeast Asia, KC-135 Stratotankers made the air war different 
from all previous aerial conflicts. Mid-air 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.

     The KC-135A's are being modified with new CFM-56 engines 
produced by CFM-International. The re-engined tanker, designated the 
KC-135R, can offload 50 percent more fuel, is 25 percent cheaper to 
operate and is 96 percent quieter than the KC-135A.

     Under another modification program, all Air Force Reserve and Air 
National Guard tankers were re-engined with 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 carry 20 percent more fuel.

     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.

     The KC-135 tanker fleet made an invaluable contribution to the success 
of Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf, flying around-the-clock 
missions to maintain operability of allied warplanes. The KC-135s form 
the backbone of the Air Force tanker fleet, meeting the aerial refueling 
requirements of bomber, fighter, cargo and reconnaissance forces, as well 
as the needs of the Navy, Marines and allied nations.

General Characteristics (KC-135R)

Primary Function: Aerial refueling. 
Contractor: Boeing Military Airplanes.
Power Plant: Four CFM-International F108-CF-100 turbofans.
Thrust: 22,224 pounds  (10,000.8 kilograms) each engine.
Length: 136 feet, 3 inches (40.8 meters).
Height: 38 feet, 4 inches  (11.5 meters).
Wingspan: 130 feet, 10 inches (39.2 meters).
Speed: Maximum speed at 30,000 feet (9,100 meters) 610 mph (Mach 
0.93)
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,152 meters).
Weight: 119,231 pounds (53,654 kilograms) empty.
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 322,500 pounds (145,125 kilograms).
Range: 11,192 miles (9,732 nautical miles) with 120,000 pounds (54,000 
kilograms) of transfer fuel.
Crew: Four or five; up to 80 passengers.
Date Deployed: August 1965.
Unit Cost: KC-135R, $53 million; KC-135E, $30.6 million; KC-135A, 
$26.1 million.
Inventory: Active force, 457; ANG, 158; Reserve, 30.

POINT OF CONTACT: 
Air Mobility Command; Public Affairs Office;  Bldg. 1905, Room 15; 
Scott Drive; Scott AFB, IL 62225-5317; DSN 576-4502, (618) 256-
4502.

(Current as of October 1992)