Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker. The Stratotanker was initially tasked to refuel strategic bombers, but 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 (USAF) 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. Despite increased maintenance costs, studies conclude many of the aircraft could be flown until 2040. The aircraft will eventually be replaced by the Northrop Grumman KC-45 Mesotanker and Boeing KC-46 Pegasus. The KC-135 is also in service in the Armée de l'Air and Royal Air Force though it is planned to replace it with Airbus A330 MRTT Voyager aerial tankers.

Users

 * Chile
 * Chilean Air Force
 * France
 * Armée de l'Air
 * Iran
 * Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
 * Singapore
 * Republic of Singapore Air Force
 * Turkey
 * Turkish Air Force
 * United Kingdom
 * Royal Air Force
 * United States
 * United States Air Force

Related Development

 * Boeing C-135 Stratolifter
 * Boeing C-137 Stratoliner
 * Boeing 707
 * Boeing CC-137 Husky

Comparable Aircraft

 * Airbus A310 MRTT/Airbus CC-150 Polaris
 * Airbus A330 MRTT/Northrop Grumman KC-45 Mesotanker
 * Boeing KC-767/Boeing KC-46 Pegasus
 * Ilyushin Il-78
 * Lockheed TriStar (RAF)
 * McDonnell-Douglas KC-10 Extender