The KC-10 has both a centerline refueling boom—unique in that it sports a control surface system at its aft end that differs from the V-tail design used on previous tankers—and a drogue-and-hose system on the starboard side of the rear fuselage.

Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same mission. The aircraft is equipped with lighting for night operations.

2023年2月2日 · With the arrival of the KC-46 Pegasus, refueling squadrons are phasing out the KC-10 to make room for the new tanker. Travis Air Force Base, one of two AFBs that operate the plane, will fly...

2025年1月28日 · The United States Air Force KC-10 Extender aerial tankers were one of the most famous applications of the legendary McDonnell Douglas DC-10. It provided the Air Mobility Command with advanced tanker cargo capabilities—with greater refueling capabilities than its more numerous KC-135 counterpart.

2023年10月6日 · In a ceremony on October 4th, 2023, history was made as the KC-10 aerial refueling aircraft, assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron (EARS), was officially deactivated. The event marked the end of an era in military aviation and,

The KC-10 Extender is designed and manufactured by Boeing Integrated and Defence Systems to meet the requirements of the US Air Force. Modifications made to the DC-10-30CF include a boom control station and three extra fuel tanks underneath the main deck, and the removal of cargo doors and windows.

Within the same mission, the KC-10 can refuel US and coalition forces aircraft using either a hose and drogue centerline refueling system or an advanced aerial refueling boom. KC-10s can also be refueled from another KC-10A or a KC-135.

Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same...

2024年9月27日 · In addition to refueling aircraft, the KC-10, along with the smaller KC-135, moved thousands of tons of cargo and thousands of troops in support of the massive Persian Gulf buildup. The KC-10 and the KC-135 conducted about 51,700 separate refueling operations and delivered 125 million gallons of fuel without missing a single scheduled rendezvous.

2024年9月26日 · Operation El Dorado Canyon, as the mission became known, depended on nearly 30 KC-10 and KC-135 tankers refueling the fighters and each other multiple times there and back, often in radio silence.

2022年6月27日 · There are three CF-6-50C2 turbofan engines that allow the KC-10 to fly at a top speed of nearly 538 knots (Mach 0.89) and a maximum mission range of 4,400 miles. For basic refueling missions, each KC-10 requires four crewmembers: an aircraft commander, copilot, flight engineer and a boom operator.

A KC-10 Extender refuels an SR-71 Blackbird in-flight during testing. The KC-10 Extender is the major unsung hero of America’s global airpower operations. Based on McDonnell Douglas’s DC-10 freighter, the KC-10 was USAF’s first widebody tanker/cargo aircraft and has flown in virtually every US combat opera - tion since entering service in ...

The KC-10 Extender is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. It is developed to produce increased global mobility for the United States Air Force (USAF) and other alliance forces. The aircraft is designed for cargo and passenger use.

2022年3月10日 · On board an old KC-10, the glitches of an aging tanker were on full display. Here's how these aircraft work—and how the fleet is changing.

Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same mission. The aircraft is equipped with lighting for night operations.

Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same mission. The aircraft is equipped with lighting for night operations.

Unlike previous re-fuelers, 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.

Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same mission. The aircraft is equipped with lighting for night operations.

2025年2月24日 · The McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is a military aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft that has played a crucial role in modern warfare and air operations. With its advanced capabilities and versatile design, the KC-10 has become an essential asset for air forces around the world. In this blog post, we will delve into the history ...

Several aircraft in the KC-10 fleet have been modified with wing-mounted pods to further enhance aerial refueling capabilities. The hose and drogue WARP (Wing Air Refueling Pod) modification allows for the aerial refueling of two aircraft simultaneously.

4 天之前 · The U.S. military has an urgent need for new tankers to satisfy its refueling needs, especially with the KC-10 already retired and the KC-135’s approaching the 70 years of service.

A U.S. Navy CMV-22B Osprey approaches a KC-10 Extender for refueling operations over southern California, Jan. 25, 2023. Aircrew members performed an integrated mission sortie as part of a training to enhance refuel capabilities and increase global mobility.

21 小时之前 · A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, prepares to perform aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air ...

2025年2月26日 · Revolutionizing mid-air refueling as the first-ever jet engine-powered tanker, the KC-135 has served in missions across the globe. After almost seven decades in the air, some are in museums, like ...

Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same mission. The aircraft is equipped with lighting for night operations.

2025年3月2日 · Boeing and the US Air Force have temporarily paused deliveries of the KC-46A Pegasus tanker after cracks were found on two aircraft slated for delivery, according to information obtained by The War Zone.. The cracks were detected on primary and secondary structures of the aircraft during pre-delivery inspections, raising fresh concerns over the …

2025年3月1日 · The Air Force will inspect its entire fleet of 89 KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers after cracks were found on two of the four new planes set to be sent to the Military Delivery Center, the Air Force told The War Zone exclusively. The issue was discovered by Boeing, which makes the jets, the Air Force said. In addition, Boeing “is taking measures to …