What kind of plane is a KC-135?
What kind of plane is a KC-135?
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft that was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, alongside the Boeing 707 airliner. It is the predominant variant of the C-135 Stratolifter family of transport aircraft.
How many KC 135s are there in the Air Force?
The US Air Force has about 550 KC-135 Stratotankers in service. The USAF selected Rockwell Collins to carry out the modernisation of the avionics system under the KC-135 Pacer CRAG (compass, radar and global positioning system) programme.
What is the new Air Force tanker?
The new bridge tanker, also known as KC-Y, has long been planned by the Air Force as the follow-on to the KC-46. It’s called the bridge tanker because it’s the second of a three-phased recapitalization of the Air Force’s aerial refueling aircraft.
What kind of plane is the KC-135 Stratotanker?
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force’s first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker.
Where are the Boeing KC 135R tankers located?
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, KS as of 1994. They are primarily used for force extension and Special Operations missions, and are crewed by highly qualified receiver capable crews.
How does a KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft work?
The upgraded cockpit of the KC-135 has a Pacer CRAG flight deck layout with intuitive eyes-up control of global air traffic management functions. The primary air fuel transfer method is through the tanker aircraft’s flying boom. An operator stationed at the rear of the fuselage controls the refuelling boom.
What kind of fuel does a KC-135 bomber use?
To be compatible with the variety of aircraft it must refuel, the KC-135 has two fuel delivery modes. A flying boom is used to refuel bomber, fighter, reconnaissance and cargo aircraft, while a special drogue adapter is fitted to the boom for refueling probe fitted aircraft.