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Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) KC-10 Extender

History of the Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) KC-10 Extender

The KC-10 Extender airframe is based on a modified Boeing DC-10 (more specifically the "DC-10-30CF" model) and retains approximately 88% commonality of parts. The modifications are entirely tailored to meet the needs of the U.S. Air Force and include revised military-grade avionics, satellite-based communications facilities, and an aerial refueling operations station. The original DC-10 was a wide-body, three-engine jetliner that entered commercial service (in partnership with American Airlines) in 1971.

It seats up to 380 passengers and is designed for medium and long-haul flights, replacing the DC-8 in the McDonnell Douglas marketing line. Production of all DC-10s officially ended in 1989, with 386 prototypes completed. Although the DC-10 has been discontinued, it still serves carriers such as FedEX Express, KLM and World Airways worldwide.

The USAF has received a total of 60 examples of KC-10 extenders from McDonnell Douglas, 59 of which are still in active service. Deliveries of the KC-10 ran from 1981 to 1988, and production continued from 1979 to 1987.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force is the only other military operator of the KC-10 extender, known as the KDC-10. While the KC-10 Extender was similar in scope to the competing Boeing KC-135 "Stratotanker", the KC-10 had a larger fuselage, carried more internal fuel, and had a more modern design (1981 vs.

1957).

KC-10 Extender refueling of other aircraft is accomplished through the use of a "hose and cone" aerial refueling device or through a conventional aerial refueling arm. The Hose and Sleeve method provides a fuel transfer rate of approximately 470 gallons per minute to the attached aircraft, while the boom refueling process provides approximately 1,100 gallons of fuel per minute. Lights are available for night operation. Boom operation is controlled by a specially seated boom operator who observes the situation through a large window. The operator guides the boom through a digital-based fly-by-wire control system.

The refueling process is monitored by the Automatic Load Lightening System (ALAS) and Independent Disconnect System (ODS) to improve safety standards during critical operations. The KC-10 retains the three basic internal fuel tanks of the original DC-10 model, but adds three large storage tanks under the cargo floor - one forward, one near the wings, and one aft.

The KC-10 Extender can supply fuel to another KC-10 when needed, or receive fuel from the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker itself. The KC-10's inherent flexibility ensures that it can refuel nearly any military aircraft in U.S. or NATO inventory - especially outside of active-duty military theaters - and help deliver aircraft to their bases in preparation for deployment.

KC-10 extender used in the 1986 airstrike on Libya. When U.S. Air Force General Dynamics F-11 Aardvark strike fighters were denied overflight of Europe outside the UK, the KC-10 ensured that the 29 Aardvarks could reach the target area and hit the target.

The KC-10 expander was later used to support the Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Its versatility allowed aircrews to fuel the coalition-based air force, which consisted of a variety of aircraft types for decades and was responsible for transporting thousands of soldiers and tons of palletized cargo to Persia during the initial build-up phase bay area.

Throughout the war, KC-10 crews maintained a flawless record of delivering fuel on time to waiting aircraft, helping to increase flight time for strike, intercept and bombing raids.

The KC-10 expander was also involved in operations as part of Allied operations during the imminent deployment to the Bosnia-Kosovo war. The KC-10 arrived in theaters in May 1999 as part of a NATO force to refuel a variety of American and European airframes.

In total, the KC-10 recorded 409 sorties in the air campaign, which culminated in a major reorganization of the Yugoslav state.

The KC-10 Extender series has been around since the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and the 2003 US invasion of Iraq to overthrow the Iraqi government and topple leader Saddam Hussein, and continues to experience extensive and ongoing operations . To that end, the KC-10 is sure to serve the U.S. Air Force and NATO for years to come.

Boeing estimates its KC-10 will last longer than 2015.