page_title: Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
section_title: Specifications (KC-135R)
hierarchical_section_title: Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker / Specifications (KC-135R)
caption_attribution_description: English: MIDDLE EAST (April 29, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Jolly Rogers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 refuels in flight with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 over Afghanistan during a mission supporting coalition forces. VFA-103 is part of Carrier Air Wing 7 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway on a scheduled deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe. (US Navy photo by Lt. Charlie Escher/Released)
context_page_description: 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. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratofreighter. The KC-135 was initially tasked with refueling strategic bombers, but it was used extensively in the Vietnam War and later conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm to extend the range and endurance of US tactical fighters and bombers.
  The KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force in 1957; it is one of six military fixed-wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator. The KC-135 is supplemented by the larger KC-10. Studies have concluded that many of the aircraft could be flown until 2030, although maintenance costs have greatly increased. The KC-135 is to be partially replaced by the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.
context_section_description: Data from USAF Fact Sheet, Boeing.com : KC-135
  General characteristics
  Crew: 3 (pilot, co-pilot and boom operator ; some KC-135 missions require the addition of a navigator.)
  Capacity: up to 80 passengers / 83,000 lb (37,648 kg)
  Length: 136 ft 3 in (41.53 m)
  Wingspan: 130 ft 10 in (39.88 m)
  Height: 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m)
  Wing area: 2,433 sq ft (226.0 m²)
  Airfoil: root: BAC 310/311/312 ; tip: BAC 313
  Empty weight: 98,392 lb (44,630 kg) 
  Operating empty weight: 124,000 lb (56,245 kg)
  Gross weight: 297,000 lb (134,717 kg)
  Max takeoff weight: 322,500 lb (146,284 kg)
  Fuel capacity: 200,000 lb (90,718 kg)
  Powerplant: 4 × CFM International F108-CF-100 turbofan engines, 21,600 lbf (96.2 kN) thrust each
  Performance
  Maximum speed: 504 kn (580 mph, 933 km/h)
  Maximum speed: Mach 0.9
  Cruise speed: 460.5 kn (529.9 mph, 852.8 km/h) at 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
  Range: 1,303.5 nmi (1,500.0 mi, 2,414.1 km) with 150,000 lb (68,039 kg) of transferable fuel
  Ferry range: 9,572 nmi (11,015 mi, 17,727 km)
  Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
  Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (25 m/s)
caption: Boom-drogue adapter refueling a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet
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