McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender

Rare card · No. 63030

The McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is an American trijet aerial refueling and cargo aircraft developed from the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 airliner for the United States Air Force's Advanced Tanker Cargo Aircraft Program. It incorporates military-specific equipment for its primary roles of aerial refueling and transport. It was developed to supplement the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker following experiences in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It was in service with the USAF from 1981 until its retirement in 2024. The KC-10 was the second McDonnell Douglas transport aircraft to be selected by the Air Force following the McDonnell Douglas C-9. 60 KC-10s were produced for the USAF. The Royal Netherlands Air Force operated two similar tankers from 1995 to 2021 designated KDC-10 that were converted from used civilian DC-10, instead of purpose built aircraft. The KC-10 played a key role in the mobilization of US military assets, taking part in overseas operations far from home. These aircraft performed...

Read on Wikipedia · Image U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Morrison, Public domain