How much fuel does a KC-10A Extender transfer?

Short answer

It carries up to 356,000 pounds (161,000 kg) of fuel, almost double the KC-135's capacity. The refueling boom delivers a maximum of 1,100 US gallons (4,200 liters) per minute, and the centerline hose system delivers 470 gallons (1,800 liters) per minute.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How much fuel does a KC-10A Extender transfer?

KC-10 Extender, C-141

Almost double the fuel of a KC-135

The additional tanks raise the KC-10's fuel capacity to 356,000 pounds (161,000 kg), almost double that of the KC-135. Those supplementary tanks, housed in the cargo compartments beneath the main deck, were, together with the addition of the McDonnell Douglas Advanced Aerial Refueling Boom, the aircraft's most notable changes.

Two different flow rates

The refueling boom can deliver fuel to a receiver at a maximum rate of 1,100 US gallons (4,200 liters) per minute. The centerline hose-and-drogue system has a maximum offload rate of 470 US gallons (1,800 liters) per minute.

A DC-10 with military avionics

The KC-10 is based largely on the design of the civilian DC-10-30CF, a convertible cargo-and-passenger variant with greater range than the original DC-10-10. The KC-10A shares 88% of its systems with the DC-10, with the addition of specialized military avionics including the refueling boom, hose and drogue, boom operator's station, receiver receptacle, and satellite communications equipment. It can carry 75 people with 146,000 pounds (66,000 kg) of cargo, or 170,000 pounds (77,000 kg) in a cargo-only configuration, and transport those weights with an unrefueled range of 4,400 miles (7,100 km).