Posted on 01/18/2010 10:04:36 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Israel has put an eighth KC-707 aerial refueling aircraft into service. It cost $23 million to convert a Boeing 707 transport into a tanker. Israel introduced the first of these aircraft in 1983, and is in the process of refurbishing the older ones. With these tankers, Israeli F-15s and F-16s can stay in the air longer, and make strikes on distant targets, like Iran. Israel first used the KC-707 to attack Palestinian terrorists, 2,000 kilometers away, in Tunis, Tunisia, in 1985. The U.S. Air Force introduced a similar aircraft, the KC-135, over fifty years ago. All 732 KC-135s were built between 1956 and 1965. The Boeing 707 commercial transport is actually a civilian version of the original KC-135 (which itself evolved from the World War II B-29 heavy bomber.) Over the decades, the KC-135 fleet has undergone constant repair and reconstruction. New engines, and new structural components have been added, as older items wore out, or showed signs of wearing out faster than anticipated. The problem with older aircraft is that you never know whats going to go next. With current technology, its believed that the KC-135s could be kept going at until 2040. The 145 ton aircraft can carry up to 37 tons of fuel for transfer. Over 500 of them are still in service. The Israeli KC-707 has similar characteristics to the KC-135, but is modified to carry 85 tons of fuel (for itself and for transfer). The KC-707 can also refuel C-130 transports.
“All 732 KC-135s were built between 1956 and 1965.....With current technology, its believed that the KC-135s could be kept going at until 2040.
Ay caramba, you mean these planes are gonna be 75-80 years old before they are hauled off to a boneyard..?
Fortunately, the laws of Physics can not be changed by Congress (though Congress is unclear on the subject).
To Tehran and back!!!
GO baby, go!!!
The KC-135Q was the variant modified to carry the JP-7 fuel necessary for the SR-71 Blackbird and air-refuelable versions of the U-2, segregating the JP-7 from the KC-135's own fuel supply (the body tanks carrying JP-7, and the wing tanks carrying JP-4 or JP-8).
When the KC-135Q model received the CFM-56 engines, it was redesignated the KC-135T model, which was capable of separating the main body tanks from the wing tanks where the KC-135 draws its engine fuel. The only external difference between a KC-135R and a KC-135T is the presence of a clear window on the underside of the empennage of the KC-135T where a remote controlled searchlight is mounted. It also has two ground refueling ports, located in each rear wheel well so ground crews can fuel both the body tanks and wing tanks separately.
Look at the B-52. They are planning to keep it until 2040.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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It’s the piston KC-97 (377 Stratocruiser) that developed from the B-29, not the 135. Strategy Page?
” With these tankers, Israeli F-15s and F-16s can stay in the air longer, and make strikes on distant targets, like Iran.”
go Israel!
*ping*
The B-52 Stratofortress was introduced in 1955, projected to remain in service for decades to come. Both the B-52’s KC-135’s remain aloft 24 hours a day, constantly upgraded with the latest technological wizardry. The airframes eventually weaken with time but age has not crept up on these American beauties as far cutting edge military preparedness is concerned.
B-52 Stratofortress
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-52_Stratofortress
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