How long can a Stratotanker 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.

Can a KC-135 carry passengers?

Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights of up to 322,500 pounds. 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 of cargo.

Can a KC-135 refuel a helicopter?

All boom-equipped tankers (e.g. KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-10 Extender, KC-46 Pegasus) have a single boom, and can refuel one aircraft at a time with this mechanism.

What’s the difference between a KC 10 and a KC-135?

Unlike the KC-135, the KC-10’s hose-and-drogue system allows refueling of Navy, Marine Corps, and most allied aircraft, all in one mission. The final twenty KC-10s produced included wing-mounted pods for added refueling locations.

How much is a KC-46 worth?

The three tankers are to be fielded around 2020 at a cost of more than ¥20.8 billion, about US$173 million per aircraft. The JASDF reportedly sought to acquire a total of six KC-46s. Work on the first JASDF KC-46 began on 17 September 2019.

Is there a KC 135rt in the Air Force?

The airframe primarily used for the most challenging of SOAR missions is not the standard KC-135R, but is the rare KC-135RT variant. Fewer of this type exist than the number of fingers on your hands, based on our research. McConnell ground crews prepare a KC-135 for a nighttime sortie.

Can a KC-135 be used for special operations?

We train above and beyond the typical KC-135 crew to be able to perform this mission and to ensure a flawless performance during the dynamic special operations missions that can require us to plan and replan in quicker intervals than you normally expect in a normal KC-135 mission.

Can a KC-135R be used as a refueler?

First of which is the fact that heavy, slow, and low-flying turboprop special operations aircraft don’t have to struggle to climb up to the KC-135R’s normal speed and operating altitudes just to get gas.

Are there Gladiator pods on the KC 135?

The underwing stores for the KC-135, which have dubbed Gladiator Pods, would be based on the existing Multipoint Refueling System (MPRS) pod, currently fitted to allow KC-135s to refuel U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, as well as probe-equipped NATO and allied assets. MPRS pods are fitted to 20 U.S. Air Force KC-135s.

How long can a Stratotanker 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. Can a…