McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender

KC-10 Extender
A United States Air Force KC-10 Extender refueling an F-16 Fighting Falcon
Role	Aerial refueling tanker, multi-role aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	McDonnell Douglas
First flight	12 July 1980
Introduction	March 1981
Status	In service
Primary users	United States Air Force Royal Netherlands Air Force
Produced	KC-10: 1979–1987
Number built	KC-10: 60; KDC-10: 2
Unit cost	KC-10: US$88.4 million (FY1998)
Developed from	McDonnell Douglas DC-10

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McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Cutaway

McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Cutaway from Flightglobal.com

The McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft – the military version of the three-engined DC-10 airliner - operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). The KC-10 was developed from the Advanced Tanker Cargo Aircraft Program. It incorporates military-specific equipment for its primary roles of transport and aerial refueling. It was developed to supplement the KC-135 Stratotanker following experiences in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The KC-10 was the second McDonnell Douglas transport aircraft to be selected by the Air Force following the C-9. A total of 60 KC-10s were produced for the USAF. The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates two similar tankers designated KDC-10 that were converted from DC-10s.

The KC-10 plays a key role in the mobilization of US military assets, taking part in overseas operations far from home. These aircraft performed airlift and aerial refueling during the 1986 bombing of Libya (Operation Eldorado Canyon), the 1990–91 Gulf War with Iraq (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia (Operation Allied Force), War in Afghanistan (Operations Enduring Freedom), and Iraq War (Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn). The KC-10 is expected to serve until 2043.

During the Vietnam War, doubts began to be raised regarding the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker fleet's ability to meet the needs of the United States' global commitments. The aerial refueling fleet was deployed to Southeast Asia to support tactical aircraft and strategic bombers, while maintaining the U.S.-based support of the nuclear-bomber fleet. Consequently, the Air Force sought an aerial tanker with greater capabilities than the KC-135. In 1972, two DC-10s were flown in trials at Edwards Air Force Base, simulating air refuelings to check for possible wake issues. Boeing performed similar tests with a 747.