How long can a KC-135 stay in the air?
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.
What is the civilian equivalent of a KC-135?
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”. As such the KC-135 is similar in appearance to the 707, but has a narrower fuselage and is shorter than the 707.
What is the main purpose of the KC-135?
The primary mission of the KC-135 is the refueling of strategic long-range bombers. It also provides air refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft as well as aircraft of allied nations.
How long is the refueling boom?
The inner boom is extendable and acts as a shock absorber during refueling. It can also be adapted with a drogue to refuel aircraft using the hose and drogue method. The boom is 28 feet long when retracted and 48 feet long when extended. It can transfer 600 gallons of fuel per minute.
Do military planes show up on Flightradar24?
Generally, aircraft requesting that they not be displayed on Flightradar24 are military aircraft. Some military aircraft, such as various transport aircraft, are visible.
What is the cost of KC 135?
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.
What happened to the KC 135 Stratotanker?
SAC had the KC-135 Stratotanker in service with Regular Air Force SAC units from 1957 through 1992 and with SAC-gained ANG and AFRES units from 1975 through 1992. Following a major USAF reorganization that resulted in the inactivation of SAC in 1992, most KC-135s were reassigned to the newly created AMC.
What is the difference between a Boeing 707 and a KC-135?
Both the KC-135 and the Boeing 707 airliner 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.
What is the difference between a KC-135E and a KC 135R?
The KC-135R’s operational range is 60% greater than the KC-135E for comparable fuel offloads, providing a wider range of basing options. Upgrading the remaining KC-135Es into KC-135Rs is no longer in consideration; this would have cost approximately US$3 billion, $24 million per aircraft.
