Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker - Variants

Variants

See Boeing C-135 Stratolifter for further details on the C-135 family.

KC-135A

Original production version powered by four Pratt & Whitney J57s, 732 built.

NKC-135A

Test-configured KC-135A.

KC-135B

Airborne command post version with 17 built equipped with turbofan engines. Provided with in-flight refueling capability and redesignated EC-135C.

KC-135D

All four RC-135As (Pacer Swan) were modified to partial KC-135A configuration in 1979. They were given a unique designation as they differed from the KC-135A in that they were built with a flight engineer's position on the flight deck. The flight engineer's position was removed when the aircraft were modified to KC-135 standards but they retained their electrically powered wing flap secondary (emergency) drive mechanism and second air conditioning pack which had been used to cool the RC-135As on-board photo-mapping systems. Later re-engined with Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines and a cockpit update to KC-135E standards in 1990.

KC-135E

Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve KC-135As re-engined with Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102 engines from retired 707 airliners (161 modified). All aircraft were retired to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base by 2009 and replaced with R models.

NKC-135E

Test-configured KC-135E.

KC-135Q

KC-135As modified to carry JP-7 fuel necessary for the SR-71 Blackbird, 56 modified, survivors to KC-135T.

KC-135R (1960s)

4 JC/KC-135As converted to Rivet Stand (Later: Rivit Quick) configuration for reconnaissance and evaulation of above ground nuclear test (55-3121, 59-1465, 59-1514, 58-0126 (58-0126 replaced 59-1465 after 59-1465 crashed in 1965) These aircraft were powered by Pratt & Whitney J57 Engines and were based at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.

KC-135R

KC-135As and some KC-135Es re-engined with CFM-56 engines, at least 361 converted.

KC-135R(RT)

Receiver-capable KC-135R Stratotanker, 8 modified with either a Boeing or LTV receiver system and a secure voice SATCOM radio.

KC-135T

KC-135Q re-engined with CFM-56 engines, 54 modified.

EC-135Y

An airborne command post modified in 1984 to support CINCCENT. Aircraft 55-3125 was the only EC-135Y. Unlike its sister EC-135N, it was a true tanker that could also receive in-flight refueling. Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102. Currently retired at AMARC.