Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

SoonerAlum93 🇺🇸

26 May 2026 · © SoonerAlum93

Sitting at Arizona Air National Guard hanger area.

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Aircraft

KC-135 Stratotanker KC135

USAF Grey (Standard Military)

Airline

United States Air Force

USAF

Manufacturer

Boeing

Gear

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 15 Pro back triple camera 9mm f/2.8

Achievements

Vintage Voyager, Boeing Beginner, Military Maverick

3 badges earned

Photo grade

Score: 60.0

Blur and heat haze affect sharpness; ground clutter and poles distract from the classic tanker.

Location

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

PHX/KPHX

33.4353, -112.0060

Open map

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport PHX

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The KC-135 is the primary aerial refueling tanker for the USAF since 1957, key for strategic reach and power projection during Cold War and beyond. One of the earliest jet tanker designs derived from the Boeing 367-80 prototype (basis for 707).

Fleet Rarity

Hundreds have been built and many still serve, but within the context of global aviation, it is rare outside the US military.

Record Flights

Extensive service history; supported record nuclear alert missions and extremely long-duration sorties for recon and transport support. Supported USAF worldwide for over six decades.

Safety & Events

Involved in various operational emergencies, some accidents during training/refueling. Played roles in Vietnam, Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, and peacetime strategic deployments.

Future Outlook

Many KC-135s remain in service but are slowly being replaced by KC-46 Pegasus. Some retired airframes are scrapped or preserved.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets (original) or CFM International CFM56/F108 (re-engined variant)

Engine

39.9 m

Wingspan

41.5 m

Length

2,419 km (fully loaded for refueling mission)

Range

853 km/h

Speed

Crew of 3 (2 pilots, 1 boom operator), can carry up to 83,000 kg of fuel

Capacity

146,285 kg

MTOW

12.7 m

Height

J57: 53 kN (12,000 lbf) per engine, CFM56: 99 kN (22,000 lbf) per engine

Thrust

Stage 2 (original engines), Stage 3 (re-engined); Often over 100 dB (old jets)

Noise