A USAF RC-135V/W Rivet Joint disconnects from a USAF KC-10 Extender after receiving fuel near Iraq on Dec. 5, 2016. The RC-135 fleet has been present in every sizeable U.S. conflict since the Vietnam War.

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach.

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an American military aerial refueling tanker aircraft that was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, alongside the Boeing 707 airliner. It has a narrower fuselage and is shorter than the 707.

The Boeing RC-135 is a family of large reconnaissance aircraft built by Boeing and modified by a number of companies, including General Dynamics, Lockheed, LTV, E-Systems, L3Harris Technologies, and used by the United States Air Force and Royal Air Force to support theater and national level intelligence consumers with near real-time on-scene ...

rules for the operation of the KC-135 aircraft to safely and successfully accomplish worldwide mobility missions. This manual applies to all civilian employees and uniformed members of the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard assigned or attached all flying

Through the years, the KC-135 has been altered to do other jobs ranging from flying command post missions to reconnaissance. RC-135s are used for special reconnaissance and Air Force Materiel Command's NKC-135As are flown in test programs. Air Combat Command operates the OC-135 as an observation platform in compliance with the Open Skies Treaty.

Apr 6, 2011 · While the principal transport variant, the C-135B, was soon replaced by the C-141 StarLifter, updated KC-135 Stratotankers, EC-135 command posts, and RC-135 reconnaissance platforms continue to serve in large numbers.

Dec 2, 2016 · Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds (146,285 kilograms). Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker’s flying boom, the KC-135’s primary fuel transfer method.

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach.

4-engined, tanker / cargo transport, side loading door, refuelling boom. First 582 airframes with short tail, all later modified to tall tail. - 2 to FAA as civil N96 and N98. 57 additional airframes cancelled.