One of the highlights of the 2008 Oshkosh Fly-In was the chance
to get up close and personal with all manner of military aircraft
-- the same birds that can be called upon at a moment's notice to
serve and protect this nation...
While the fighters get most of the glory and the bombers get
some notice here and there, rarely do we hear about the tankers.
Take the KC-10 for instance... According to the US Air Force, the
KC-10 'Extender' is an Air Mobility Command advanced tanker and
cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for US
armed forces. Although the KC-10's primary mission is aerial
refueling, it can combine the tasks of a tanker and cargo aircraft
by refueling fighters and simultaneously carry the fighter support
personnel and equipment on overseas deployments. The KC-10 is also
capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using
patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.
The KC-10 can transport up to 75 people and nearly 170,000
pounds of cargo a distance of about 4,400 miles unrefueled. In
addition to the three main DC-10 wing fuel tanks, the KC-10 has
three large fuel tanks under the cargo floor, one under the forward
lower cargo compartment, one in the center wing area and one under
the rear compartment. Combined, the capacity of the six tanks carry
more than 356,000 pounds of fuel - almost twice as much as the
KC-135 Stratotanker.
Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and
drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide
variety of US and allied military aircraft within the same mission.
The aircraft is equipped with lighting for night operations. 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 (4,180 liters) per
minute; the hose and drogue refueling maximum rate is 470 gallons
per minute. The Automatic Load Alleviation System and Independent
Disconnect System greatly enhances safety and facilitates air
refueling. The KC-10 can be air-refueled by a KC-135 or another
KC-10A to increase its delivery range.
The large cargo-loading door can accept most air forces' fighter
unit support equipment. Powered rollers and winches inside the
cargo compartment permit moving heavy loads. The cargo compartment
can accommodate loads ranging from 27 pallets to a mix of 17
pallets and 75 passengers.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, KC-10s have played a prominent role in the
on-going Global War on Terrorism. The KC-10 has flown more than 350
missions guarding U.S. skies as a part of Operation Noble Eagle.
During operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, KC-10s have
flown more than 1,390 missions delivering critical air refueling
support to numerous joint and coalition receiver aircraft.
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