The KC-10A Extender is a US Air Force advanced tanker and cargo aircraft whose primary mission is aerial refueling. Within the same mission, the KC-10 can refuel US and coalition forces aircraft using either a hose and drogue centerline refueling system or an advanced aerial refueling boom. KC-10s can also be refueled from another KC-10A or a KC-135.
The aircraft is configured to simultaneously carry military cargo and personnel. Since 1981, the KC-10 has been an important part of air fueling in times of war and peace, improving global mobility for US armed forces.
The KC-10A on display, serial number 84-0191, was instrumental in 1986 during Operation El Dorado Canyon, serving as a “mother ship” for an attacking element of US F-111s, including the F-111F on display in the Museum. Their target was the command center for a Libyan terrorist network in Tripoli. For the first time since WWII, US aircraft took off from Royal Air Force bases in the United Kingdom for a bombing mission. The KC-10’s large fuel capacity allowed the strike force aircraft to refuel eight times during the mission. The raid proved the US’s capabilities for long-range precision strikes.
This aircraft arrived at the museum in April 2024 from its last duty station at Travis AFB, California.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Engine: Three General Electric CF6-50C2 turbofans, each producing 52,500 lbs of thrust
Crew: Four (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer and boom operator)
Maximum Fuel Load: 356,000 pounds
Maximum Cargo Payload:170,000 pounds
Range: 4,400 miles with cargo; 11,500 miles without cargo (unrefueled)
Videos:
Final Landing at NMUSAF (April 15, 2024) https://youtu.be/IlPo741Mm1s?si=5-sOy204Pdo61yJI
News Story at NMUSAF(April 2024) https://youtu.be/ZPTiv87c9Ys?si=egMR5ut4ltgi_ynC
KC-10 Aircraft Move Aug 21 2024 https://youtu.be/iyRVM1Ht9FM?si=BJJxtrUA3PWseCsM
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