KC135 is actually Boeing KC135 Stratotanker, a military aircraft. This plane was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The family of KC135 has different other types: KC-135A, NKC-135A, KC-135B, KC-135D, KC-135E, KC135Q, KC-135R, KC-135T and EC-135Y. KC135 was involved in different NASA projects for research, for example between 1979 and 1980 at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in California, at Edwards Air Force Base, when researchers tested “winglets” installed on the wing tips. Since then, winglets are incorporated to commercial planes, military jest and business aviation jets. Another NASA project involving the KC135 was the Vomit Comet, the infamous zero gravity simulator.

Here is some technical data about KC135. Its primary function is aerial function and airlift with the Boeing Company as main contractor. The power plant uses CFM International CFM 56 turbo engines of 21,634 pounds each of them. The wingspan is of 130 feet and 10 inches with a length of 136 feet and 3 inches and a height of 41 feet and 8 inches. The speed KC135 can reach is 530 miles per hour at an altitude of 30.000 feet. The maximum take off weight is 322.500 pounds and the maximum transfer fuel load is 200.000 pounds. The cargo may transport up to 83.000 pounds and 37 passengers. The crew usually has 3 members: the pilot, the copilot and the boom operator. Sometimes a navigator joins the team, if needed. For evacuation missions, an aeromedical evacuation crew joins the team, too. The medical team is a crew of five, two flight nurses and three medical technicians. Anyhow, the medical crew can be adjusted, depending on the needs of the mission. An unit of KC135 costs 39,6 million dollars.

The main operators of KC135 are based in just 5 countries. At some point, a rumor about Italy being the sixth operator of KC135 circulated, but apparently Italy bought just Boeing 707-300s that later were converted to tankers. The actual operators of the KC135 Stratotanker are Chile, France, Singapore, Turkey and the United States of America. Of course, America is the main operator of the military aircraft built by the Boeing Company.