Even as we look forward to building the Air Force's next fleet of aerial refueling tankers, sometimes it's helpful to look to the past. In fact, the men and women of Boeing are still maintaining the tanker aircraft that are flying and serving the country more than fifty years after we first built them.
We're glad the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has cleared us to go ahead and begin maintenance on the KC-135 Stratotankers so they can continue to serve our brave warfighters.
Read the Reuters article on the court's decision here.
Boeing professionals designed and built the Stratotankers for the Air Force in the mid-1950's. From 1956 to 1966, we delivered 820 KC-135 aircraft to the taxpayers - 732 as aerial tankers and 88 modified for special purposes, including cargo carriers, reconnaissance airplanes, SAC Airborne Command Posts and transports for high-ranking government officials. The Stratotanker was the first jet-powered tanker, which enabled it to refuel faster jet aircraft. The KC-135 Stratotanker has served as the backbone of America’s refueling fleet ever since.
Boeing is proud that the Stratotankers' forward-looking design and high-quality manufacturing have enabled the Air Force to get the most out of this capable aircraft through five-plus decades. We look forward to building a new tanker so capable and well manufactured that it lasts the next fifty years and more.
Comments
The most impressive fact that the more than 50 year old KC-135 tanker still flying has yet to happen. That is the fact the USAF plans on flying it for another 30 + years, into the 2040s, and she can easily do it.
There are several reasons why the KC-135 is still a front line warfighter appraoching 55 years since its very first flight. One, it was designed and built by Boeing. Two, it was built right, you might say she is over built. Three, in 1956 she was the leading edge of technology.
The KC-135 was the right tanker at the right time, and her time is long from running out.
There was nothing better flying, or would be flying within the next few years. The KC-135 grew out of Boeing's famous and most daring risk, the "Mother of Jet Transports" the B-357-80, or more commonly called simply the "Dash-80". "Mom" had near identical twins, First the KC-135 was born, shortly later, her famous sister, the B-707 was born.
That is what I believe needs to be done today. Don't get me wrong, I really like the KC-767AT and her bigger sister, the KC-777F. They are both modern success stories. That "French Thang" is not, nor ever will be a true tanker. It is a "cattle car and box carrier" first, with the second thought of being a tanker.
What I strongly believe needs to be done is to re-engine the KC-135E to the KC-135R. Yes, I know the KC-135E does not need the KC-X RFP. But, since the KC-135R is the base line the KC-X will be graded against for the important things like offloading XXX thousnad lbs of fuel at YYYY nm distance from ZZZ base, and return, This will be the best cost option for the country. We, as tax payers will not need to borrow money from China to pay for a new tanker. Any airlift capability than will be needed can be made up by more C-17s, An order for B-777Fs or B-747-8Fs from the USAF. The best combination would be re-engine all KC-135Es, they will last until at least 2040, order 36-48 (3-4 12 ue squadrons) more C-17s, and suplement that with a USAF order for 24 B-747-8Fs (3 8 ue squadrons) to supplement the C-5B/C/M fleet.
The KC-135E only has engine strut problems, re-engining her will replace those tired old struts. Other than that, she is in perfect shape. I believe there are some 138, or more, KC-135Es that can be re-engined and return to what they do best, flying and refueling.
That will set the B-747-8F up for the KC-Y compitition in 2023, to replace the KC-10As. When the last KC-10 is put into the "bone yard", a 75 year old KC-135 can drop into DM to pick the crew up.
I would like to see a new tanker, but my love for the old KC-135A/Q tells me she is to young to retire. Boeing builds the only choice for tankers. Boeing builds some of the world's best fighters, cargo transports, passenger jets, and bombers (the B-52) in the world. EADS/Airbus builds "bling" airplanes, pretty and flashy, but can they really do the job?
If the USAF wants "newer" technology when it comes time for the KC-Y, there is always the B-787-9F, or the "Y-3F".
Boeing should build the next legacy tanker, someday. Just don't take my pretty girl the classic KC-135 out of the air. She was built to fly.
Remember "NKAWTG"
KC135TopBoom