KC-135R Aerial Refueling Aircraft

Full Specifications

KC-135R Stratotanker Aerial Refueling Aircraft

The KC-135R Stratotanker is one of the most important support aircraft in U.S. military aviation. While it rarely grabs headlines, it quietly enables nearly every long range air combat mission flown by the U.S. Air Force and its allies. Designed for aerial refueling, the KC-135R extends the reach, endurance, and flexibility of fighters, bombers, and surveillance aircraft across the globe.

First introduced during the Cold War, the KC-135 fleet has proven remarkably adaptable. The R model represents the most common and capable variant in service today, upgraded with modern engines, avionics, and fuel efficiency improvements that keep it operational well into the modern era.

Manufacturer

The KC-135 was originally developed by Boeing in the late 1950s, based on the company’s early jet transport designs. The KC-135R upgrade program replaced older turbojet engines with CFM56 turbofan engines, significantly improving performance, fuel economy, and noise levels. These upgrades were carried out through Boeing and partner contractors under U.S. Air Force programs.

Speed and Range

The KC-135R cruises at high subsonic speeds and has an intercontinental range when operating without refueling offload. Its true value lies in its ability to transfer large amounts of fuel in flight, allowing combat aircraft to operate far beyond their normal limits. It supports both boom refueling and, with adapters, probe equipped aircraft.

KC-135R Aerial Refueling Aircraft Price

The original unit cost of the KC-135 was low by modern standards, but current value is tied to sustainment and upgrades rather than new production. Operating and modernization costs remain far lower than fielding an entirely new tanker fleet, making the KC-135R a cost effective asset.