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Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
The KC-135 Stratotanker is the core aerial tanker of the US Air Force, a four-engine jet with swept wings that passes nearly all its fuel through a flying boom worked from the rear fuselage. It grew from Boeing's 367-80 prototype, the design that also led to the 707 airliner. The first one flew in 1956 and the last was delivered in 1965, yet constant upgrades keep it at the heart of the tanker fleet. This site lists the re-engined KC-135R, which ICAO Doc 8643 files under the type code K35R along with the KC-135T.
The variants side by side
| Variant | Range | Seats | Length | First flight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC-135R Stratotanker | 1,500 miles (1,303 nm, 2,410 km) | Freighter, payload 83,000 lb (37,648 kg) | 136 ft 3 in (41.53 m) | – | In service |