C-135
IOC: June 1957
Total Production: 732
Total Program's Cost: USD$29 billion
KC-135 Stratotanker
Unitary Cost: USD$40 million
Also Known As
C-135 Stratolifter
C-135C Speckled Trout
C-135F
C-135FR
EC-135
EC-135C
EC-135E
KC-135A
KC-135E
KC-135Q
KC-135R
KC-135T
NC-135E Big Crow (test aircraft)
NKC-135
NKC-135A
OC-135
RC-135
RC-135S Cobra Ball
RC-135U
RC-135V Rivet Joint
RC-135W
TC-135W
WC-135M
Origin
United States of America
Contractor/s
Boeing
Power plant:
CFM56-2 (4)
TF33 (4)
Sensors & Communications:
AN/APN-242
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Description:
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a tanker aircraft designed to provide refueling for US Air Force, US Navy and USMC aircraft, as well as aircraft from allied nations. The first KC-135 tanker was delivered to the Castle US Air Force Base, California, in June 1957 and the last one in 1965.
The KC-135 has an aerial boom as 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. In addition, the KC-135 can accommodate passengers and cargo (up to 83,000 pounds) in a deck above the refueling system.
As of 2006, the US Air Force's inventory includes 417 KC-135Rs and 112 KC-135Es. The number of E models would drop to 63 aircraft by fiscal year 2011. The future of KC-135 fleet remains uncertain due to a corrosion problem that would escalate into maintenance costs growth. The KC-X tanker replacement program envisages that the last Stratotanker should be retired from the fleet by 2040.
Boeing is offering its KC-767 tanker aircraft as replacement for aging KC-135 tankers, while Northrop-Grumman/EADS North America are offering the Airbus A330 MRTT. The deals are on hold pending law suit and further US Air Force and governmental studies. Both tankers will be evaluated by the USAF under the KC-X program.
C-135C Speckled Trout was a variant introduced in the mid 1970s as a VIP transport for the US Air Force chief of staff. This aircraft was retired in early February 2006.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 4, Passengers 37
Dimensions: Height 12.7 m, Length 41.5 m, Wingspan 39.9 m
Weights: Max Weight 146 t, Payload 37,650 kg (83,003 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 105,200 lb (47,719 kg)
Performance: Ceiling 15,250 m (50,033 ft), Max Range 2,413 km (1,303 nm), Top Speed 237 mps (Mach 0.71)
Other: Number of Engines 4
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France
Singapore
Turkey
United States of America / 545 