KC-10 Extender

KC-10 Extender (Aerial refueling tanker) – 59

Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas

First flight: 12 July 1980

Introduction: March 1981

Produced: 1979-1987

Number built: 62

Unit cost: $88.4 million (FY1998)

Developed from: McDonnell Douglas DC-10

General characteristics

Crew: 4 (Aircraft Commander, copilot, flight engineer, boom operator); additional crewmembers such as an aeromedical evacuation team and cargo handlers may be added

Length: 55.35 m

Wingspan: 50.41 m

Height: 17.70 m

Wing area: 367.71 m²

Empty weight: 109,328 kg

Loaded weight: 268,980 kg

Max. takeoff weight: 267,620 kg

Powerplant: 3× F103/General Electric CF6-50C2 turbofans, 24,065 kgf (236 kN) each

Maximum fuel capacity: 161,480 kg

Performance

Maximum speed: 0.89 mach (996 km/h)

Range: 7,080 km

Ferry range: 18,507 km

Service ceiling: 12,800 m

Rate of climb: 2094 m/min., 34.9 m/s

To modernize the platform, the USAF has awarded a contract to Boeing in 2010 to upgrade the fleet of 59 aircraft with new communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) system. This is to allow the aircraft to fly in civil airspace as new ICAO and FAA standards take effect in 2015