3. Introduction
• The Global Air tanker KDC-10 is a hose and drogue and centerline boom military in-
flight refueling aircraft developed by the Global Air tanker Service company.
• The aircraft can carry 112,037kg of fuel, and a 40,823kg to 45,360kg payload, or
alternatively 156,490kg of fuel with an additional fuselage tank.
• The aircraft is also able to transport freight or passengers.
• In addition, it can also refuel Nato aircraft namely F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft
fitted with a boom system.
4.
5. Design & Features
• Global Air tanker Service plans to modify up to 15 DC-10-40 aircraft that were previously
owned and operated by Japan Air Lines.
• The aircraft is of cantilever low-wing monoplane all-metal fail-safe design and powered by
three General Electric CF6-50C2 turbofan engines; each rated at 52,500lb.
• The KDC-10 tanker aircraft is available in cargo and passenger configurations. The main
deck can be fitted for 277 mixed-class passenger seats in a twin-aisle configuration.
• In a tanker / cargo transporter configuration for civil or military cargo, the main deck can
carry up to 29 standard 88in×108in pallets, which is equivalent to 13,600ft³ (385m³) of
pelleted cargo.
6.
7. Refueling Equipment
• Omega Air developed the Omega KC-707 which was the FAA's first certified civil
tanker aircraft.
• The KDC-10 tanker aircraft features dual use with the capability to carry freight or
passengers.
• The aircraft can carry 247,000lb of fuel for refuelling plus up to 100,000lb of freight
or passenger payload.
• An alternative payload configuration includes an additional fuselage fuel tank which
gives a maximum 345,000lb fuel payload.
8.
9. Performance
• The KDC-10 tanker aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 962km/h.
• The maximum range and service ceiling of the aircraft are 9760km and 12,800m
respectively.
• The cruise speed and tank capacity are 890km/h and 1750 lt/minute respectively.
• The aircraft weighs around 120,000kg and the maximum take-off weight is
267,620kg.
• At ranges up to 3,900 miles the total operational payload of the KDC-10 is estimated
at 156,000lb
