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KC-135 Stratotanker Related News »

• Pentagon Reopens $35 billion KC-X Tanker Contest
• Top acquisition official: Tanker acquisition top priority
• Northrop Grumman Statement Regarding DoD Tanker Decision
• Boeing Statement on Pentagon Decision to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid
• Pentagon Reopens Bidding on Tanker Contract

Background

Air Mobility Command manages more than 490 total aircraft inventory Stratotankers, of which the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard fly 271 of those in support of AMC's mission.

The Boeing 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 732-plane fleet. 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-135 was delivered to the Air Force in 1965.
Of the original KC-135A's, more than 410 have been modified with new CFM-56 engines produced by CFM-International. The re-engined tanker, designated either the KC-135R or KC-135T, can offload 50 percent more fuel, is 25 percent more fuel efficient, costs 25 percent less to operate and is 96 percent quieter than the KC-135A.

Under another modification program, 157 Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard tankers were re-engined with the 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 offload 20 percent more fuel.

Through the years, the KC-135 has been altered to do other jobs ranging from flying command post missions to reconnaissance. RC-135s are used for special reconnaissance and Air Force Materiel Command's NKC-135A's are flown in test programs. The Air Combat Command operates the OC-135 as an observation platform in compliance with the Open Skies Treaty.

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

Over the next few years, the aircraft will undergo upgrades to expand its capabilities and improve its reliability. Among these are improved communications, navigation and surveillance equipment to meet future civil air traffic control needs.

Features

Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds (146,285 kilograms). Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the flying boom, the KC-135's 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.
Some aircraft have been configured with the Mulitpoint Refueling System or MPRS. MPRS configured aircraft are capable of refueling two receiver aircraft simultaneously from special "PODS" mounted on the wingtips. One crewmember, known as the boom operator, is stationed in the rear of the plane and controls the boom during in-flight air refueling.
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 (37,648 kilograms) of cargo.

Recent developments:

Aug. 6th, 2008 | Pentagon Reopens $35 billion KC-X Tanker Contest

Today, the Pentagon reopened the $35 billion KC-X tanker competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman/EADS. According to Reuters, 98 pages of amendments and clarifications were added to the original request for proposals. Most importantly, more credit will be given to the aircraft with the highest fuel offload capability, beyond the required amount. This change would favor the larger A330-derived KC-30 Northrop Grumman/EADS is offering. Northrop Grumman statement follows: WASHINGTON...
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Jul. 22nd, 2008 | Top acquisition official: Tanker acquisition top priority

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Officials from the Government Accountability Office testified before Congress July 10 here about their decision to uphold Boeing's protests of the Air Force's selection of Northrop Grumman Corp. to produce 179 new tankers that would replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. In its report, GAO officials stated that errors had been made during the acquisition process that could have affected the outcome of the close competition between the two companies, but did not fin...
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Jul. 10th, 2008 | Northrop Grumman Statement Regarding DoD Tanker Decision

The Following is a Statement From Randy Belote, Vice President of Corporate and International Communications for Northrop Grumman WASHINGTON, July 9, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) applauds Defense Secretary Gates and Under Secretary Young for recognizing that the acquisition of replacement refueling tankers for the Air Force should be put on a path toward quick closure. We are reviewing the decision to ensure the re-competition will provide both companies a ...
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Jul. 10th, 2008 | Boeing Statement on Pentagon Decision to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid

ST. LOUIS, July 09, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Defense Department's decision to reopen the KC-X aerial refueling tanker competition following the company's successful protest of the original $35 billion contract award: "We welcome the decision by Defense Secretary Robert Gates not to proceed with the contract award to Northrop Grumman/EADS and to reopen the KC-X tanker competition. However, we remain concerned that a renewed Reque...
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Jul. 10th, 2008 | Pentagon Reopens Bidding on Tanker Contract

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2008 -- The Defense Department has reopened the bidding process for a multibillion-dollar midair refueling tanker contract, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. The announcement comes after the Government Accountability Office last month found improper practices related to the $35 billion contract awarded in February to the Northrop-Grumman/EADS/Airbus consortium, which prompted a protest from rival bidder Boeing Company. “Industry, Congress and the Amer...
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KC-135 Stratotanker Related News »

• Boeing Statement on GAO Tanker Protest Report
• Northrop Grumman Stands Ready to Support Air Force Tanker Decision
• Korea, U.S. join forces for Exercise Max Thunder
• Boeing, Northrop Statements on GAO Decision
• GAO Recommends USAF to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid Process
• U.S. Air Force's Second KC-45 Tanker Airframe Completes Test Flights
• Name the Tanker: Leaders seek inputs from Airmen
• Groundbreaking for the KC-45 Tanker Manufacturing Facilities Set for June 28
• Alaska ANG KC-135s provide 'edge' anytime, anywhere
• Boeing KC-767 Tanker: 'Sized Right for the Fight'
• Northrop Grumman KC-45: Why We Won - Versatility
• Boeing: KC-767 Tanker Adds Up to Best Value for Warfighter, Taxpayers
• Boeing KC-767 Tanker Determined More Survivable in USAF Evaluation
• Boeing: Study Projects That As Oil Prices Climb, 767 Tanker Most Cost Efficient
• Boeing Protests U.S. Air Force Tanker Contract Award
• Boeing to File Protest of U.S. Air Force Tanker Contract Award
• New tanker to bring increased capabilities to warfighter
• AMC commander welcomes tanker announcement
• Gripen in-flight re-fuels with French KC135
• KC-30 Tanker Successfully Completes In-Flight Contact With An F-16

All KC-135 Stratotanker News Articles »

Specifications

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