Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the aerial refueling tankers category.
01 / Overview
Boeing KC-97
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1951–1956
Quantity
811
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS · EARLY COLD WAR
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the aerial refueling tankers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Flight1949
- Service Entry Year1950
- Crew6
- Primary RoleStrategic aerial refueling tanker
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypePratt & Whitney R-4360-59 Wasp Major
- Number of Engines4
- Power (each, turboprop)3,500 kW
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Cruise Speed480 km/h
- Top Speed603 km/h
- Service Ceiling9,144 m
- Maximum Range4,300 km
- Takeoff Run2,100 m
◇Cargo & Capacity3MOD.3
- Maximum Payload12,250 kg
- Cargo Hold Volume100
- Troop Capacity100
◆Aerial Refueling3MOD.3
- Aerial TankerYes
- Fuel Offload Capacity40,800 kg
- Refueling Method (boom/drogue)Flying boom
▤Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
- Length35.662 m
- Wingspan39.9 m
- Height8.5 m
- Empty Weight37,422 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight78,000 kg
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built811
- Operators2
- Variants14
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1978
- Production Start1951
- Production End1956
- Operational StatusRetired 1978
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1951Production started
- 1956Production ended
75
years in service
5
years in production
811
units produced
4
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS RANKING Aerial Refueling Tankers · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
15AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS3EARLY COLD WAR · AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS1413UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS3PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAerial Refueling Tankerscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
Aerial tanker: military aircraft equipped to refuel other aircraft in flight using a system of hoses or booms.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources