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In
the early 80s, crews occasionally refueled from KC-10 "Extender"
tankers. They were able to fly at higher airspeeds than the
KC-135Qs, making refueling easier for SR-71 pilots. The high
angle-of-attack (AOA) associated with a slow airspeed make the
SR-71 more difficult to fly locked on to the boom of a KC-135Q.
Based on the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Series, the KC-10 can carry
more than 356,000 pounds (160,200 kilograms) of fuel -- almost
twice as much as the KC-135Q Stratotanker. |
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The
KC-10's boom operator controls refueling operations through a digital
fly-by-wire system. Sitting in the rear of the aircraft, the operator
can see the receiver aircraft through a wide window. During boom
refueling operations, fuel is transferred to the receiver at a maximum
rate of 1,100 gallons per minute.
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Specifications
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Primary
Function:
Aerial
refueling
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Prime
Contractor:
Douglas Aircraft Co., division of Boeing
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Power
Plant:
Three
General Electric CF6-50C2 turbofans
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| Length: 181
feet, 7 inches |
| Height:
58
feet, 1 inch |
| Wingspan:
165 feet, 4.5 inches |
| Speed:
619 mph |
| Ceiling:
42,000 feet |
| Date
Deployed:
March 1981 |
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to Support |
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