The document describes a proposed modification of the Boeing KC-33A (a military version of the Boeing 747-400F cargo aircraft) to serve as an aerial refueling tanker and transport aircraft. Key aspects include: 1) Adding auxiliary fuel tanks and an aerial refueling boom system based on the KC-135 boom to allow the KC-33A to refuel other aircraft. 2) Carrying a nose cargo door-mounted roll-on/roll-off loader to transport vehicles internally like the M113 armored personnel carrier and M8 armored gun system light tank. 3) Being able to refuel all USAF cargo aircraft like the C-5

1. RWR/DECM
IFF Interrogator UHF Comm, IFF, GPS, Satcom
AAR Receptacle
2 x Bubble Windows
Side Cargo Door AMC
Freighter Floor
40602
JTIDS
602
U.S. AIR FORCE
Boom (KC-135R)
(c) 2
001,
Car lo Ko
pp
Nose Door
Internal Loader
Lower Deck Auxiliary Fuel Cells AAR Operator Station
JTIDS Internal Airstairs Fuel Manifolds
2 x Hose/Drum Unit
Upper Deck Stairs Fuel Pumps, Valves
Single Point Receptacle AAR Formation Lighting
2 x TACAN Beacons
Boeing KC-33A (KC-747-400F) Strategic Tanker/Transport

2. KC-33A Tanker/Transport
• C-33A airlifter (military modified cargo B-747)
with lower deck auxiliary fuel tanks (~90 klb),
AAR boom and other AAR modifications as
required.
• Boom design tested for USAF ACTA and
export KC-747-100, using 6,000 lb/min KC-
135 boom.
• Optionally, KC-10A 10,000 lb/min boom could
be used, at some cost in extra NRE.
• Low risk adaptation of basic C-33A using
proven and flight tested hardware.
• Offload performance better or equal to
existing USAF KC-10A, with 0.85 Mach cruise
airframe.

3. Why KC-33A and C-33A?
• Integral AAR (Air-Air Refueling)
capability in the APAF airlift force.
• KC-33A refuels C-5, C-17 and C-141 in
the same package, therefore reducing
or eliminating demand for USAF AMC
KC-135R and KC-10A tankers.
• If AAR receptacles fitted to USAF C-
130s, (during upgrade to “J”
propfans/engines) then all airlift assets
can be refueled by the airlift force’s
integral AAR capability. C-130s become
strategic airlift assets.

5. KC-33A RO/RO Onboard
Loader
• Based on proven Boeing On Board Loader
(BOBL) design used on 747-200C Combis.
• Stowed in the nose of the KC-33A/C-33A.
• Deployment similar to existing Boeing On
Board Loader, but additional phase is
required to unfold the RO/RO ramp.
• May be detached and used as RO/RO ground
loader for KC-33A, C-33 and CRAF 747-
200F/400F not so equipped.
• Design target is 17-ton payload (M8 AGS).

6. Corner Vertical
Clearance 3.05 m
3.0 m
Height = 2.49 m Centre Vertical
Width = 2.7 m Clearance 3.12 m
Length = 4.85 m
M113 M113 M113
Side Cargo Door (SCD) 2.7 m 2.7 m
Clearance
Loading Ramp
3.4 X 3.05 (3.12) m
Auxiliary Auxiliary
Fuel Cells Fuel Cells
Boeing KC-33A (KC-747-400F)
(c) 2001, Carlo Kopp
M113A3 Loading Fit Check

7. KC-33A and AFVs
• Nose Cargo Door (NCD) : 8ft 2in height, 8 ft 8
in upper width, lower width is determined by
RO/RO loader design. Side Cargo Door
(SCD): 10 ft height, 11 ft 2 in width.
• RO/RO load/unload through NCD:
M113A3/A4 with low-profile turret, M8 AGS
light tank with low-profile turret. Standard
freight 463L pallets as second floor for
vehicles, offloaded using BOBL RO/RO
and/or USAF Tunner transloader.
• Main deck internal width and height adequate
for side-by-side carriage of M113A3/A4 AFVs
(paper fit checks). Floor strength increases
may be required over commercial 747-400F
for M8 AGS (TBD).