USAF upgrades first Turkish KC-135
A Turkish KC-135R Stratotanker taxis on the runway at the Field Aerospace facility in Oklahoma City. (Photo: USAF)
A second Turkish KC-135 is currently undergoing the new modification, with the remaining fleet expected to receive the update no later than 2023.
The first of seven Turkish KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft recently returned to Turkey after receiving a major flight deck upgrade at Field Aerospace in Oklahoma City under the Block 45 upgrade programme.
The USAF announced on 14 September that the inside of the aircraft’s flight deck was completely remodelled by replacing instruments that are considered high-maintenance or obsolete.
It had 63 parts replaced and received new liquid crystal displays, radio altimeter, computer module updates, autopilot and a digital flight director.
A second Turkish KC-135 is currently being modified, with the remaining fleet expected to receive the upgrade no later than 2023.
A press release from the USAF claimed that Block 45 makes it easier for pilots to operate the aircraft and notice malfunctions faster also helps with the sustainment of the aircraft in the long run.
The USAF KC-135 fleet is also receiving the Block 45 modification and has seen an increase in aircraft availability as a result, said John Wilson, programme manager at the USAF Mobility and Training Aircraft Directorate.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the KC-135 entered service in 1957 with the USAF and remains the service’s primary aerial tanker. The air force plans to keep the type flying beyond 2040 when it will be replaced by the Boeing KC-46.
Of the 803 built, 416 are in US service. In addition to Turkey, the aircraft is also operated by Chile and France.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Poland orders Apache targeting systems and will establish local support facility]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Poland orders Apache targeting systems and will establish local support facility
In 2024, Poland agreed to purchase 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache combat helicopters in a deal worth as much as US$12 billion. The deal included 97 AN/ASQ-170 modernised target acquisition and designation sight/AN/AAR-11 modernised pilot night vision sensors (M-TADS/PNVS).
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus and France sign framework agreement for VSR-700]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus and France sign framework agreement for VSR-700
The framework agreement is for the future acquisition of the system under the French Navy’s SDAM programme. The agreement also paves the way for cooperation with other nations via government-to-government agreements.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Milkor and Hanwha partner to integrate the latter’s SAR payload into the Milkor 380]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Milkor and Hanwha partner to integrate the latter’s SAR payload into the Milkor 380
Hanwha Systems and Milkor announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Paris Air Show to integrate the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system into the Milkor 380 drone.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: A400M production moved forward as development plans outlined]()
Paris Air Show 2025: A400M production moved forward as development plans outlined
It is more than a decade since the Airbus A400M tactical lift aircraft entered service. More than 130 aircraft are in service around the world with nine countries, while another order has been made by Indonesia. The company is now looking to lower operational costs and increase the number of potential missions.
-
![Expanded focus – unleashing the potential of commercial SATCOM for defence]()
Expanded focus – unleashing the potential of commercial SATCOM for defence
In conversation... Intelsat's Ray Lindenmayer talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about the new capabilities advanced commercial SATCOM technologies can provide for military customers, and how industry and government can best work together to achieve maximum effect in orbit.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Boeing confirms “very early infancy” C-17 Globemaster III production restart discussions as European market opportunity looms]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Boeing confirms “very early infancy” C-17 Globemaster III production restart discussions as European market opportunity looms
The discussion of the C-17 comes off the back of Boeing’s focus on a growing European demand for defence equipment amid a growing threat on the continent.
