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.

Which aircraft can be refueled by a KC-135 tanker?

135 Stratotanker
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….Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.

KC-135 Stratotanker
Role Aerial refuelling and transport aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 31 August 1956

How many planes can a KC-135 refuel?

two receiver aircraft
These KC-135s are capable of refueling two receiver aircraft at the same time.

When refueling a C 17 At what rate does a KC-135 transfer fuel?

The KC-135 transfers enough fuel through the refueling boom in one minute to operate the average family car for more than a year! The maximum transfer fuel load is 200,000 pounds. That’s enough to refuel the entire Blue Angels demonstration team (jets 1-6) 3 times!

How much is a KC-135 cost?

Each KC-46 costs approximately $239.8 million so far. For comparison’s sake, a KC-135 would cost approximately $62.2 million and a KC-10—another aerial refueling tanker—would cost approximately $139 million in 2020 dollars.

How long does it take to refuel a KC-135?

On 8 January, it conducted a hot refuelling of a KC-135 at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the UK. The new procedure reduces the time needed for refuelling from a four- to six-hour ground operation to roughly one hour, says the USAF.

What is wrong with the KC-46?

The KC-46 has four remaining category 1 deficiencies: two involving the Remote Vision System that are expected to be resolved when a new version of the system is rolled out in 2023; a problem with the stiffness of the air refueling boom that keeps it from being able to refuel some of the planes in the service’s …

What does the K in KC-135 stand for?

K = Tanker. V = VIP. C = Cargo. The C-135 is a military Boeing 707, so the KC-135 is the tanker version.

What does KC-10 stand for?

The McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is an American aerial refueling tanker aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). A military version of the three-engined DC-10 airliner, the KC-10 was developed from the Advanced Tanker Cargo Aircraft Program.

What engine is on the KC-135?

CFM International CFM56
Pratt & Whitney J57
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker/Engine types

The KC-135R aircraft has been updated with more efficient CFM International CFM-56 engines, which burn up to 25% less fuel and provide greater thrust than previously fitted engines. The efficiency of the engines enable the aircraft to offload 50% more fuel on a medium-radius, 1,725-mile refuelling mission.

How much fuel can a KC-46 carry?

KC-46 has a maximum fuel capacity of 212,299lb (96,265kg). The aircraft is fitted with a flush-mounted air-to-air refuelling receptacle capable of accepting fuel at 1,200gal/min.

How many KC-46 have been ordered?

So far, 94 of the planned KC-46s have been ordered. The Air Force took delivery of its first KC-46A in January 2019, years behind schedule.

What kind of refueling pods does a KC 135 have?

The Multi-point Refueling Systems (MPRS) modification adds refueling pods to the KC-135’s wings. The pods allow refueling of U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and most NATO tactical jet aircraft while keeping the tail-mounted refueling boom.

Is it safe to fly a KC 135?

The list includes KC-135, RC-135, and EC-135 aircraft. Even a brief look at this listing shows that flying the KC-135 and similar aircraft was anything but safe. Since the R model conversion the safety record has been on par with that of any modern airliner.

When was the last KC 135E delivered to the Air Force?

The final KC-135E, tail number 56-3630, was delivered by the 101st Air Refueling Wing to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in September 2009.

Are there any KC-135s that have been destroyed?

If anybody has information on these crashes, please use the comments below as a forum to add your inputs. Below is a table that shows all destroyed -135 aircraft. The list includes KC-135, RC-135, and EC-135 aircraft. Even a brief look at this listing shows that flying the KC-135 and similar aircraft was anything but safe.