Regan Brown
Air tankers are aircraft designed to deliver large volumes of fuel, water, or fire retardant to combat wildfires. The capacity of an air tanker varies depending on its model and purpose. For instance, the KC-46A Pegasus Tanker, a military aircraft, can hold 212,000 pounds (96,162 kilograms) of fuel. In contrast, the Global Supertanker, a Boeing 747-400 used for firefighting, can carry up to 9,400 gallons of fire retardant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| KC-46A Pegasus Tanker fuel capacity | 212,000 pounds (96,162 kilograms) |
| KC-46A Pegasus Tanker fuel offloaded to date | 100 million pounds (45 million kilograms) |
| KC-10 fuel capacity | 356,000 pounds |
| C-5 fuel capacity | 332,500 pounds |
| Water Scoopers fuel capacity | 1,600 gallons of water |
| VLATs fuel capacity | 2,000 to 4,000 gallons |
| DC-10 fuel capacity | 9,400 gallons |
| SEAT fuel capacity | 800 gallons |
| Global Supertanker base location | Colorado Springs Airport |
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What You'll Learn
The KC-46A Pegasus Tanker holds 212,000 pounds of fuel
The KC-46A is a tanker produced in America for the U.S. Air Force and allies. It is approved by the U.S. Air Force for global deployments, including combat operations. The KC-46A is the first phase in recapitalizing the U.S. Air Force's aging tanker fleet. It has been described as a "`game-changer"` due to its ability to exchange data and provide fleet situational awareness. The tanker connects multi-domain warfighters, providing tactical situational awareness and real-time information superiority.
The KC-46A is highly versatile, with the ability to convert between cargo, passenger, and aeromedical evacuation modes in just two hours. It is also adaptable to rapid cargo loading and mission versatility for Agile Combat Employment. The tanker is equipped with emergency oxygen and electrical power for medevac support and is compatible with all U.S. Air Force loaders.
The KC-46A is a next-generation solution for the USAF's AR needs, with systems that support joint and coalition operations and facilitate vital interoperability with allied forces. It has faced some technical challenges, particularly with the Remote Vision System and telescoping boom, but collaborative efforts between Boeing and the USAF have addressed these issues. The KC-46A is expected to continue evolving and improving over time.
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The KC-10 tanker holds 356,000 pounds of fuel
The KC-10 is an American tanker and cargo aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1981 to 2024. It is a military version of the three-engine DC-10 airliner, developed from the Advanced Tanker Cargo Aircraft Program. The KC-10 Extender was designed to supplement the KC-135 Stratotanker, which faced doubts over its ability to meet the needs of the United States' global commitments during the Vietnam War. The KC-10 boasts a fuel capacity of 356,000 pounds (approximately 161,000 kg), nearly double that of the KC-135. This impressive capacity is facilitated by the addition of fuel tanks located in the baggage compartments below the main deck.
The KC-10's ability to carry a substantial fuel load grants it a remarkable range. Without cargo, the KC-10 can fly up to 11,500 miles (10,000 nautical miles), showcasing its endurance. This range, coupled with its fuel capacity, makes the KC-10 a valuable asset for aerial refueling and transport operations.
The KC-10 Extender played a pivotal role in the United States' military operations, particularly in overseas missions. Notably, during Operation El Dorado Canyon, nearly 30 KC-10 and KC-135 tankers were involved in refueling fighters and each other multiple times, often maintaining radio silence. The KC-10's ability to carry a large fuel load was crucial in ensuring the success of such operations, where landing rights may be restricted or multiple refuelings necessary.
Despite its impressive capabilities, the KC-10 faced the challenge of replacement as its airframe and engines aged. The final KC-10 Extender bid farewell in September 2024, with the 9th Air Refueling Squadron transitioning to the newer KC-46 Pegasus. The KC-10's retirement marked the end of an era, with the aircraft having served faithfully for several decades.
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The C-5 tanker holds 332,500 pounds of fuel
The C-5's enormous fuel capacity enables it to carry outsized and oversized loads over intercontinental ranges. It can carry six Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) or up to five helicopters. The C-5's payload capacity is further demonstrated by its ability to transport up to 36 standard pallets and 81 troops simultaneously. It can also carry a wide variety of gear, including tanks, submarines, equipment, and food and emergency supplies.
The C-5's modernization has improved its reliability, efficiency, maintainability, and availability. The upgraded C-5M Super Galaxy, with new engines and modernized avionics, has set numerous world aviation records and demonstrated its ability to redefine global airlift. The C-5M's increased range is particularly valuable in the Pacific theater, where it is the only airlifter capable of flying non-stop from Travis Air Force Base in California to Yokota, Japan.
The C-5's development faced challenges, including significant cost overruns and issues with wing cracks that required re-winging. Despite these early setbacks, the C-5 has become a critical instrument of national policy, supporting US military operations in major conflicts and providing humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and support to the US space program.
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The Global Supertanker can deliver fire retardant from 400-800 feet
The Global Supertanker is a retired aerial firefighting aircraft derived from various Boeing 747 models. It is the largest aerial firefighting aircraft in the world and can carry up to 19,600 US gallons (74,000 litres) of fire retardant or water. The Supertanker was first deployed in 2009 to fight a fire in Cuenca, Spain, and made its first American operation on 31 August 2009, at the Oak Glen Fire in California.
The Global Supertanker has been used to fight fires in Israel, Chile, and throughout the US. In 2016, it was deployed to Israel to help fight wildfires in the northern port city of Haifa. In 2017, it was sent to Santiago, Chile, to help combat one of the country's biggest series of wildfires, which had burned more than 494,000 acres of forests and hundreds of houses.
The Global Supertanker has a unique pressurized delivery system, allowing it to make multiple controlled drops during a single flight. It can deliver more than 20,000 gallons of fire retardant with considerable accuracy. The aircraft can lay down a three-mile-long, football field-wide swath of retardant if needed. The development of the Supertanker cost more than $50 million, and it is hoped that it can be sold worldwide as a premier aerial firefighting tool.
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Water Scoopers can hold up to 1,600 gallons of water
Water Scoopers are amphibious aircraft used to fight wildfires in lighter fuels like grasses and sagebrush. They skim the surface of a body of water, scoop water into an onboard tank, and drop it onto a wildland fire. Some Water Scoopers can hold up to 1,600 gallons of water, which can be filled in as little as 12 seconds. They can scoop water from sources that are about 6.5 feet deep and 300 feet wide, typically using lakes but occasionally rivers. They can drop water from a height of about 100 to 150 feet above ground level.
Water Scoopers are an example of Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), the smallest type of firefighting aircraft. SEATs are agricultural sprayers that generally drop about 800 US gallons (3,000 litres) of water or retardant. Other examples of SEATs include the Air Tractor AT-802 and the Soviet Antonov An-2 biplane, both of which can be fitted with floats to scoop water.
The next size category for firefighting aircraft is 'Medium', which includes aircraft with a capacity of under 10,000 US gallons (38,000 litres). An example of a medium-sized aircraft is the McDonnell Douglas MD-87 jetliner operated by Erickson Aero Tanker, which can carry up to 4,000 gallons of fire-fighting retardant.
The largest category is 'Heavy', which includes aircraft with a capacity of over 10,000 US gallons (38,000 litres). An example of a heavy aircraft is the Ilyushin Il-76 airtanker operated by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, which has a capacity of 11,000 US gallons (41,600 litres).
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Frequently asked questions
The KC-46A Pegasus Tanker holds 212,000 pounds (96,162 kilograms) of fuel.
The KC-10 air tanker can hold slightly over 310,000 pounds of fuel.
Water Scoopers are amphibious aircraft that can hold up to 1,600 gallons of water.
The DC-10 air tanker can deliver up to 9,400 gallons of fire retardant.
A SEAT can deliver up to 800 gallons of fire retardant.
