Boeing History

When it comes to building tankers, history is on Boeing’s side.

Boeing is the company that invented boom refueling 60 years ago. And we’ve been improving fueling technology ever since. In all, Boeing has built and delivered over 2,000 of the best aerial refueling tankers in the world. By contrast, Airbus is new to the tanker business and has delivered only a handful of tankers. Boeing has the proven experience America’s warfighters, taxpayers and workers deserve.

Boeing Knows How

The ability to refuel aircraft in flight was an early requirement of the U.S. Air Force. To meet this need, Boeing converted B-29 bombers into tankers at its Wichita, KS, production facilities.

Ninety-two KB-29s were equipped with a hose and drogue system developed by Britain's Flight Refueling Limited. Identifying limitations with that system, Boeing began development of the "flying boom," which it incorporated on 116 KB-29s. These boom-equipped tankers were able to more quickly transfer fuel to Strategic Air Command bombers.

The first purpose-built tanker was the KC-97 Stratotanker. Based on the Model 377 trans-oceanic airliner, the Air Force purchased 811 KC-97 tankers starting in 1950. The transition to jet-powered bombers highlighted the need for a tanker aircraft that could fly higher and faster. From this need came the modern jet tanker.

In 1953, the Air Force had a stated requirement for 200 jet tankers. The three major aircraft manufacturers -- Boeing, Douglas and Lockheed -- all submitted designs. Due to the urgent need, the Air Force purchased 29 KC-135 Stratotankers from Boeing.

The first KC-135 tanker, known as the “City of Renton,” rolled off the line at Boeing's Renton, Wash., plant on July 18, 1956. From April 1957 to January 1965, The Boeing Company delivered 732 KC-135A tankers to the Air Force.

The KC-135 has undergone a number of upgrades over the years. In 1980, the Air Force awarded a contract to Boeing for integration of modern turbofan engines which had been chosen to replace the 1950-era jet engines on the KC-135. These powerful new engines were more fuel-efficient and allowed tankers to carry more fuel over longer distances, greatly increasing the operational flexibility of the tanker fleet.

Today, the KC-135 remains the workhorse of the U.S. Air Force tanker fleet with over 450 still in use. In addition to the U.S. Air Force, France, Singapore and Turkey also fly the KC-135. Ten additional countries fly tankers based on a variant of the 707 aircraft.