RAND Research Topic: Tanker Aircraft 2012-05-24T14:58:00Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/tanker-aircraft.html Upgrading the Extender: Which Options Are Cost-Effective for Modernizing the KC-10? http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR901.html Feb 25, 2011 Feb 25, 2011 The Air Force is considering upgrades to the KC-10 in several areas: avionics, command and control, multipoint refueling, defensive systems, and compatibility with night-vision systems. An assessment of options to upgrade the KC-10 weighed the costs and potential benefits of the upgrades against demands in homeland defense, theater employment, deployment, and air bridge operations and KC-10 roles (refueling only, airlift only, or dual-role). Should the U.S. Air Force Modernize Its Refueling Fleet to Meet Upcoming Mandates? http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG901.html Oct 31, 2009 Oct 31, 2009 <p>The U.S. Air Force's KC-10 air refueling fleet has been in service for 25 years without a major avionics upgrade. Without modernization, the KC-10 will not be in compliance with upcoming air traffic management mandates regulating the minimum allowed communication, navigation, and surveillance capabilities.</p> A New Tool Forecasts Programmed Depot Maintenance Workloads for Aging Aircraft http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB219.html May 22, 2007 May 22, 2007 This research brief describes a new tool for forecasting the maintenance workloads of aging Air Force fleets. Alternatives for Recapitalizing Aging Aerial Refueling Tankers http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG495.html Apr 18, 2006 Apr 18, 2006 <p>Aerial refueling tankers play a critical role in U.S. military and national security strategy, but the KC-135 fleet is nearing 50 years of age and has exhibited some technical difficulties and increased costs. Alternatives are needed for recapitalizing the tanker force.</p> Analysis of Alternatives for Recapitalizing the Air Force&rsquo;s KC-135 Aerial Refueling Tanker http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB201.html Mar 9, 2006 Mar 9, 2006 This research brief describes an analysis that assessed alternatives for recapitalization of the ageing KC-135 air tanker fleet. The Mission Day: A New Metric to Evaluate Peacetime Demands on Mobility Air Forces http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB149.html Nov 25, 2005 Nov 25, 2005 Multipoint Aerial Refueling: A Review and Assessment http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/DB152.html Dec 31, 1995 Dec 31, 1995 The work described in this documented briefing reviews five studies to determine whether any general conclusions may be drawn regarding the merits of multipoint aerial refueling. A Two-Way Controlled Sample for Collecting Tanker Aircraft Base Maintenance Information http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM6099.html Dec 31, 1968 Dec 31, 1968 A description from the statistical viewpoint of the sampling design, selection of estimators, and preliminary analysis of maintenance data on KC-135 tanker aircraft of the Strategic Air Command, collected in June-July 1967.