Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Tanker-Transport Aircraft Family
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a four-engine jet tanker-transport derived from the 367-80 prototype that also led to the 707. First flown in 1956, it became the backbone of U.S. aerial refueling while retaining airlift, aeromedical, command-post, observation, and test derivatives; successive re-engining programs have kept the type in active service for decades.
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Identity
- Aliases
- KC-135KC-135AKC-135EKC-135RKC-135TStratotankerNKC-135RC-135OC-135
- Family Name
- Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
- Full Name
- Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Tanker-Transport Aircraft Family
- Roles
- militarycargoutility
- Status
- active
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Operating Modes
- land
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a four-engine jet tanker-transport derived from the 367-80 prototype that also led to the 707. First flown in 1956, it became the backbone of U.S. aerial refueling while retaining airlift, aeromedical, command-post, observation, and test derivatives; successive re-engining programs have kept the type in active service for decades.
- Dimensions
- Height M
- 12.7
- Length M
- 41.53
- Wingspan M
- 39.88
- First Flight Year
- 1,956
- Manufacturer
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 4
- Placement
- wing
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Variant Notes
- Boeing history identifies four 13,750-pound-thrust P&W J57 engines on the KC-135 military configuration.
- Name
- KC-135A J57 configuration
- Notes
- The original KC-135A fleet used four Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets.
- Entries
- Count
- 4
- Placement
- wing
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Variant Notes
- Four exact Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-102 turbofans on KC-135E aircraft.
- Name
- KC-135E TF33-PW-102 configuration
- Notes
- The U.S. Air Force identifies four Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-102 turbofans on the retired KC-135E re-engining fit.
- Entries
- Count
- 4
- Placement
- wing
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Variant Notes
- Four exact CFM International F108-CF-100 turbofans on KC-135R/T aircraft.
- Name
- KC-135R/T F108-CF-100 configuration
- Notes
- The U.S. Air Force identifies CFM56 engines on KC-135R/T aircraft; F108-CF-100 is the exact military CFM56-2B derivative.
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 30, 2026 at 19:53:46 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 14, 2026 at 05:36:10 UTC