U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker fleet is receiving its third major avionics upgrade with Block 45, which modernizes key features of t...
U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker fleet is receiving its third major avionics upgrade with Block 45, which modernizes key features of the aircraft.
The upgrade converts the aircraft flight deck from analog to digital with a new engine instrument display, radio altimeter, flight director, and autopilot.
This capability significantly improves reliability and maintainability, reduces maintenance actions, and increases aircrew situational awareness.
The $910 million program is managed by the Legacy Tanker Division at Tinker Air Force Base which reports to the Tanker Directorate within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
The upgrade allows for more efficient air traffic management activities, improves system safety by creating key system redundancy, and reduces the logistics footprint with utilization of more reliable avionics components.
Modification of the 400 KC-135s began in 2014 and is scheduled to complete in 2025.
The KC-135 provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force in support of world-wide missions and has been operating for more than 50 years.
The KC-135 Stratotanker's primary mission is to refuel long-range bombers.
Four turbojets, mounted under wings swept 35 degrees, power the KC-135. Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker's flying boom, the KC-135's primary fuel transfer method.
A special shuttlecock-shaped drogue, attached to and trailed behind the flying boom, is used to refuel aircraft fitted with probes. An operator stationed in the rear of the plane controls the boom. A cargo deck above the refueling system holds passengers or cargo.
Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds (37,350 kilograms) of cargo.
