https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_KC-10_Extender
The McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is an 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. It incorporates military-specific equipment for its
primary roles of transport and aerial refueling. It was developed to supplement
the KC-135 Stratotanker following experiences in Southeast Asia and the Middle
East. The KC-10 was the second McDonnell Douglas transport aircraft to be
selected by the Air Force following the C-9. A total of 60 KC-10s were produced
for the USAF. The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates two similar tankers
designated KDC-10 that were converted from DC-10s.
The KC-10 plays a key role in the mobilization of US military assets, taking
part in overseas operations far from home. These aircraft performed airlift and
aerial refueling during the 1986 bombing of Libya (Operation Eldorado Canyon),
NATO bombing of Yugoslavia (Operation Allied Force), War in Afghanistan
(Operations Enduring Freedom), and Iraq War (Operations Iraqi Freedom and New
Dawn). The KC-10 is expected to serve until 2043.
The KC-10 Extender first flew on 12 July 1980, but it was not until October the
same year that the first aerial refuel sortie was performed. The design for the
KC-10 involved modifications from the DC-10-30CF design. Unnecessary airline
features were replaced by an improved cargo-handling system and military
avionics. Meanwhile, the KC-10 retains 88% commonality with its commercial
counterparts, giving it greater access to the worldwide commercial support
system. Other changes from the DC-10-30CF include the removal of most windows
and lower cargo doors. Early aircraft featured a distinctive light gray, white
and blue paint scheme, but a gray-green camouflage scheme was used on later
tankers. The paint scheme was switched to a medium gray color by the late 1990s.
The most notable changes were the addition of the McDonnell Douglas Advanced
Aerial Refueling Boom (AARB) and additional fuel tanks located in the baggage
compartments below the main deck. The extra tanks increase the KC-10's fuel
capacity to 356,000 lb (161,478 kg), nearly doubling the KC-135's capacity. The
surface system at its aft end that differs from the V-tail design used on
fuselage. The KC-10 boom operator is located in the rear of the aircraft with a
wide window for monitoring refueling. The operator controls refueling operations
through a digital fly-by wire system.
Unlike the KC-135, the KC-10's hose-and-drogue system allows refueling of Navy,
Marine Corps, and most allied aircraft, all in one mission. The final twenty
KC-10s produced included wing-mounted pods for added refueling locations. The
KC-10 can also carry a complement of 75 personnel with 146,000 lb (66,225 kg) of
cargo, or 170,000 lb (77,110 kg) in an all-cargo configuration. The KC-10 has a
side cargo door for loading and unloading cargo. Handling equipment is required
to raise and lower loads to the cargo opening. It can carry cargo and serve as a
tanker on overseas missions.
Role
Aerial refueling tanker, multi-role aircraft
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
McDonnell Douglas
First flight
12 July 1980
Introduction
March 1981
Status
In service
Primary users
United States Air Force
Royal Netherlands Air Force
Produced
Number built
KC-10: 60; KDC-10: 2
Unit cost
KC-10: US$88.4 million (FY1998)
Developed from
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The first KC-10 was delivered to the Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC) in
March 1981 at Barksdale AFB; the 60th and final KC-10 arrived on 29 November
1988. The KC-10s served with SAC until 1992, when they were reassigned to the
newly established Air Mobility Command. In the aerial refueling role, the KC-10s
have been operated largely in the strategic refueling of large number of
tactical aircraft on ferry flights and the refueling of other strategic
transport aircraft. Conversely, the KC-135 fleet has operated largely in the
in-theater tactical role. There are 59 KC-10 Extenders in service with the USAF
as of 2010. The USAF's KC-10s are stationed primarily at Travis AFB, California,
and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst formerly known as McGuire AFB, New Jersey.
The Air Force considered retiring its fleet of KC-10 tankers in response to
sequestration budget cuts as part of the service's FY 2015 budget. A "vertical
chop" to divest all KC-10s was suggested because there are fewer KC-10s than
KC-135s, having three different tanker models in service (after the introduction
of the KC-46) would be costly, and a "horizontal cut" across the refueling
fleets would achieve small efficiencies. Some believed retiring the KC-10 would
not benefit the Air Force, given that it is equipped with both boom and
hose-and-drogue refueling systems and the fleet's relatively young age. At
first, officials claimed that the initial focus on retiring the KC-10 in
September 2013 was a "trial balloon" to call attention to Air Force operating
cost issues; as of early 2013, the KC-10 had a per hour flying cost of $21,170
and a mission capable rate of 87 percent. A FY 2015 budget plan did not include
cuts to the KC-10.
Specifications (KC-10A)
General characteristics
Crew: 4 (Aircraft Commander, copilot, flight engineer, and boom operator)
Length: 181 ft 7 in (55.35 m)
Wingspan: 165 ft 4.5 in (50.41 m)
Height: 58 ft 1 in (17.70 m)
Empty weight: 241,027 lb (109,328 kg)
Loaded weight: 593,000 lb (268,980 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 590,000 lb (267,620 kg)
Maximum fuel capacity: 356,000 lb (161,480 kg)
each
Performance
Maximum speed: 538 knots/0.89 mach (619 mph, 996 km/h)
Range: 4,400 mi (7,080 km)
Ferry range: 11,500 mi (18,507 km)
Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (12,800 m)
Rate of climb: 6,870 ft/min (2094 m/min., 34.9 m/s)
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