Tanker Aircraft
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This is a list of tanker aircraft used for aerial refuelling of another aircraft while in powered flight.


Refueling methods

;Looped hose: The first commercial method employed a hose which was held slack in a trailing half-loop behind both aircraft. The receiving aircraft flew just below the tanker and deployed a steel line, which the tanker caught with its own grappling line and drew in. The tanker then connected the first steel line to the refueling hose and paid it out as the receiving aircraft reeled it back in. ; Probe-and-drogue: The tanker trails a flexible hose with a stabilising drogue on the end and the receiving aircraft manoeuvers to insert a short probe into the receptacle in the drogue. ; Flying boom: The tanker extends a hinged telescopic boom with aerodynamic control surfaces on its end. An operator "flies" it to match up with a receptacle on the receiving aircraft, which then moves forwards to make the connection. ;Wing-to-wing: A hybrid method in which the tanker trails a flexible hose from a wing and the receiving aircraft catches it in a hooked receptacle under one of its own wings. ; Buddy refueling: An aircraft type is fitted with both supply and receiving hardware, so that one aircraft can refuel another of the same type.


Gallery

These images illustrate various aerial refuelling methods.


List of aircraft

, +
military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a d ...
tanker aircraft used to refuel other aircraft in flight !Tanker
aircraft !based
on ! aircraft
propulsion
method
! Fuel
supply
method
!Operators !Date entered use !Current
status !Qty !Notes , - , Airbus A310 MRTT, , Airbus
A310-300C
, , 2x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
jet, , probe and drogue, ,
Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
/
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
/
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
, , , , operational, , 6, , Two for
Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Can ...
(RCAF), known in service as CC-150T Polaris , - ,
Airbus A330 MRTT The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a European aerial refueling and military transport aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. A total of 15 countries have placed firm orders for approximately 82 aircraft, of which 64 had ...
, , Airbus
A330-200
, , 2x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
jet, , probe and drogue, ,
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, , , , production/ operational, , 7 KC2
5(+2) KC3, , In
Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
(RAF) service, it is exclusively hose-and-drogue, and is known as Voyager KC2 (two under-wing hose and drogue) and Voyager KC3 (two under-wing hose and drogue plus under-fuselage centreline high capacity hose and drogue), with no self-refuelling capability. 14 aircraft have been delivered: seven KC2, five KC3 and two fitted out as KC3. , - ,
Airbus A330 MRTT The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a European aerial refueling and military transport aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. A total of 15 countries have placed firm orders for approximately 82 aircraft, of which 64 had ...
, , Airbus
A330-200
, , 2x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
jet, , flying boom, ,
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
/
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...
/
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
/
United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...
/
Singapore Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...
Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet, , , , production/ operational, , 61 , , Versions operated by the
Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...
(designated KC-30), Emirati, Saudi air forces and the Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet are equipped with both a flying boom and hose and drogue refuelling units. , - , Airbus
A400M
Atlas
, , Airbus
A400M
Atlas
, , 4x Europrop TP400
turboprop A turboprop is a Gas turbine, gas turbine engine that drives an aircraft Propeller (aeronautics), propeller. A turboprop consists of an intake, reduction drive, reduction gearbox, gas compressor, compressor, combustor, turbine, and a propellin ...
, , probe and drogue, , Spain / Germany / France , , , , production/ operational, , , , , - ,
Airco DH.4 The Airco DH.4 is a British two-seat biplane day bomber of the First World War. It was designed by Geoffrey de Havilland (hence "DH") for Airco, and was the first British two-seat light day-bomber capable of defending itself. It was desig ...
, , Airco DH.4, , propeller, , gravity flow hose, ,
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, , , , retired, , 1, , US Army Air Service trials at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California. , - ,
Avro Lancaster The Avro Lancaster, commonly known as the Lancaster Bomber, is a British World War II, Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax, both bombers having been developed to ...
, , Avro Lancaster, , 4x propeller, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , , , Purchased and converted by Flight Refuelling Limited (FRL). , - , Avro Lancastrian, ,
Avro Lancaster The Avro Lancaster, commonly known as the Lancaster Bomber, is a British World War II, Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax, both bombers having been developed to ...
, , 4x propeller, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , 4, , Purchased and converted by Flight Refuelling Limited (FRL), two Lancastrian tankers were based at Shannon, Ireland; the other two in North America, at Goose Bay, Labrador, and Gander, Newfoundland. , - ,
Avro Lincoln The Avro Type 694 Lincoln is a British four-engined heavy bomber, which maiden flight, first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were initially known as the Lancaster IV and V; these were renamed L ...
, ,
Avro Lincoln The Avro Type 694 Lincoln is a British four-engined heavy bomber, which maiden flight, first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were initially known as the Lancaster IV and V; these were renamed L ...
, , 4x propeller, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , , , Purchased and converted by Flight Refuelling Limited (FRL). , - ,
Avro Vulcan The Avro Vulcan (later Hawker Siddeley Vulcan from July 1963) was a jet-powered, tailless, delta-wing, high-altitude, strategic bomber, which was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A.V. Roe ...
K.2, , Avro Vulcan, , 4x jet, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , 1982 , , retired, , 6 , , Conversions as interim until VC.10 tankers ready. , - , Blackburn
Buccaneer
S.2, , Blackburn
Buccaneer
S.2, , 2x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
jet, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - , Boeing
KB-29M
, ,
Boeing B-29 Superfortress The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is a retired American four-engined propeller-driven heavy bomber, designed by Boeing and flown primarily by the United States during World War II and the Korean War. Named in allusion to its predecessor, the Bo ...
, , 4x propeller, , probe and drogue, , United States, , , , retired, , 126, , The world's first aerial refuelling units were created; the 43d Air Refueling Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and the 509th at Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico. Earlier KB-29M versions used a 'grappling hose' system, later models used a true probe and drogue. One KB-29M, redesignated YKB-29T (nicknamed 'Triple Nipple'), was modified to have another two refuelling hoses on its wingtip. , - , Boeing
KB-29P
, , Boeing B-29 Superfortress, , 4x propeller, , flying boom, , United States, , , , retired, , 100+, , , - , Boeing
KB-50
, , Boeing B-50 Superfortress, , 4x propeller, , probe and drogue, , United States, , , , retired, , , , An improved model of the B-29 Superfortress. , - , Boeing
KB-50
, , Boeing B-50 Superfortress, , 4x propeller, , flying boom, , United States, , , , retired, , , , A B-29 derivative. , - , Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter, ,
Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter is a long-range heavy military cargo aircraft developed from the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, B-29 and Boeing B-50 Superfortress, B-50 bombers. Design work began in 1942, the first of three prototype XC-97s flew on ...
, , 4x propeller, , flying boom, , United States / Israel, , , , retired, , , , Based on the B-50, itself another
B-29 Superfortress The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is a retired American four-engined Propeller (aeronautics), propeller-driven heavy bomber, designed by Boeing and flown primarily by the United States during World War II and the Korean War. Named in allusion to ...
descendant. , - , Boeing
KC-135
Stratotanker
, , Boeing
367-80

(Dash 80), , 4x jet, , flying boom, , United States / Turkey / France / Chile / Singapore, , , , operational, , , , Boom can be fitted pre-flight with a drogue adapter. AdlA C-135FR/KC-135R Stratotankers use the probe and drogue system and are in the process of being replaced by Airbus A330MRTT 'Phenix'. Singapores KC-135's have been by A330MRTT's and were sold to Meta Aerospace in the USA. , - , Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, , Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, , turbofan, , probe and drogue, , United States, , , , in development, , , , aerial refueling drone , - ,
Boeing 707 The Boeing 707 is an early American long-range Narrow-body aircraft, narrow-body airliner, the first jetliner developed and produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, the initial first flew on Decembe ...
, ,
Boeing 707 The Boeing 707 is an early American long-range Narrow-body aircraft, narrow-body airliner, the first jetliner developed and produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, the initial first flew on Decembe ...
, , 4x jet, , probe and drogue, , Canada / Israel / Spain / Italy / United States, , , , operational, , , , New built and conversions of airliners with multi-point refuelling system pods. Israel allegedly converted ex-airliners with booms from withdrawn KC-97's. Two for RCAF as CC-137 Husky, Spain and Italy have retired their 707 tanker aircraft. Omega Aerial Refueling Services operates two in the United States. , - , Boeing KC-33A, , Boeing
747-100
, , 4x jet, , flying boom, , Iran, , , , operational, , 4, , KC-33A is a modified Boeing 747 which lost in the USAF bidding competition to the KC-10 Extender. Four sold to the Iranian Air Force, one operational remaining. , - , Boeing 767MMTT, , Boeing 767, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, , Colombia, , , , production/ operational, , 1 , , Multi Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT) conversion by IAI for the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC), a 767-200ER fitted with two ARP3 refuelling pods under the wings, and cargo door. , - , Boeing KC-767, , Boeing
767-200ER
, , 2x jet, , flying boom, , Italy / Japan, , , , operational, , 8 , , With cockpit updates, was (eventually) the winning entry in the USAF KC-X competition. , - , Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, , Boeing
767-200ER
, , 2x jet, , flying boom, , United States, , , , production/ operational, , 93, , USAF designation for Boeing's updated winning KC-767 entry. , - , Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, , Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, , United States, , , , operational, , , , Equipped for buddy-buddy refuelling as 'Strike tankers'. Taking over tanking duties after the S-3 was retired from service. , - , Consolidated
B-24 Liberator
, , Consolidated B-24 Liberator, , 4x propeller, , , , United States, , , , retired, , , , Used for flight tests with a B–17E receiver. , - ,
Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard The Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard (''Étendard'' is French for "War flag, battle flag", cognate to English "standard") is a French carrier-based aircraft, carrier-borne attack aircraft, strike fighter aircraft designed by Dassault Aviation, ...
, , Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard, , jet, , probe and drogue, , France, , , , retired, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - ,
Dassault Rafale The Dassault Rafale (, literally meaning "gust of wind", or "burst of fire" in a more military sense) is a French Twinjet, twin-engine, Canard (aeronautics), canard delta wing, Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft designed and ...
, , Dassault Rafale, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, , France, , , , production/ operational, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - , de Havilland Sea Vixen, , de Havilland Sea Vixen, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - , Douglas
KA-3B
Skywarrior
, , Douglas A-3 Skywarrior, , jet, , probe and drogue, , United States, , , , retired, , , , Dedicated tanker variant of the Skywarrior. Primary US Navy tanker from the Vietnam War until retirement prior to Desert Storm. , - , Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, , Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, ,
turbojet The turbojet is an airbreathing jet engine which is typically used in aircraft. It consists of a gas turbine with a propelling nozzle. The gas turbine has an air inlet which includes inlet guide vanes, a compressor, a combustion chamber, and ...
, , probe and drogue, , United States, , , , retired, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - , Douglas C-1, , Douglas C-1, , propeller, , gravity flow hose, , United States, , , , retired, , 2, , The C-1 was a single-engine transport, 6,445-pound biplane, transformed into tankers by installing two 150-gallon tanks for off-loading, and a refuelling hose that passed through a hatch cut in the floor. , - , Embraer
KC-390
, , Embraer C-390 Millennium, , 2x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
, , probe and drogue, ,
Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...
, , , , production/ operational, , , , Cobham air-to-air refuelling system. , - , Grumman
KA-6D
Intruder
, , Grumman A-6 Intruder, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, , United States, , , , retired, , , , Dedicated tanker variant of the Intruder. Attack variants of the A-6 also capable of buddy-buddy tanking. , - , Handley
Page
HP.54
Harrow
, , Handley
Page
HP.54
Harrow, , 2x propeller, , looped hose, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , 3, , Three Harrows were operated by Flight Refuelling Limited, and refuelled Short Empire
flying boat A flying boat is a type of seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a floatplane in having a fuselage that is purpose-designed for flotation, while floatplanes rely on fuselage-mounted floats for buoyancy. Though ...
s on transatlantic services, two from Gander, Newfoundland and one based in Foynes, Ireland. , - , Handley Page
Type W
, , Handley Page
W.10
, , 2x propeller, , looped hose, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , 2, , Early trials and demonstrations by Flight Refuelling Ltd using a
piston engine A reciprocating engine, more often known as a piston engine, is a heat engine that uses one or more Reciprocating motion, reciprocating pistons to convert high temperature and high pressure into a Circular motion, rotating motion. This article ...
d
biplane A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two main wings stacked one above the other. The first powered, controlled aeroplane to fly, the Wright Flyer, used a biplane wing arrangement, as did many aircraft in the early years of aviation. While ...
. , - , Handley
Page
Victor
, , Handley
Page
Victor
, , 4x jet, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , 30, , B(K).1A, K.1, K.1A and K.2 variants in
Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
service, operated by No. 55 Squadron from RAF Marham. A number of Victor tankers saw action during Black Buck raids of the 1982
Falklands War The Falklands War () was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British Overseas Territories, British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and Falkland Islands Dependenci ...
, refuelling the
Avro Vulcan The Avro Vulcan (later Hawker Siddeley Vulcan from July 1963) was a jet-powered, tailless, delta-wing, high-altitude, strategic bomber, which was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A.V. Roe ...
bombers multiple times during each bombing run. Fleet retired October 1993. , - , Ilyushin Il-78 ''Midas'', ,
Ilyushin Il-76 The Ilyushin Il-76 (; NATO reporting name: Candid) is a multi-purpose, fixed-wing, four-engine turbofan strategic airlifter designed by the Soviet Union's Ilyushin design bureau as a commercial freighter in 1967, to replace the Antonov An-1 ...
, , 4x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
, , probe and drogue, ,
USSR The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...
,
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
, China, , 1984, , production/ operational, , 53, , , - ,
Lockheed C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed Corporation, Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 w ...
, ,
C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed Corporation, Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 w ...
& C-130J Super Hercules, , 4x
turboprop A turboprop is a Gas turbine, gas turbine engine that drives an aircraft Propeller (aeronautics), propeller. A turboprop consists of an intake, reduction drive, reduction gearbox, gas compressor, compressor, combustor, turbine, and a propellin ...
, , probe and drogue, , Canada / United States, , , , production/ operational, , , , Variants:
Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Can ...
modified C-130H,
United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines or simply the Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for conducting expeditionar ...
modified C-130F. , - , KC-130 Hercules, ,
C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed Corporation, Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 w ...
& C-130J Super Hercules, , 4x
turboprop A turboprop is a Gas turbine, gas turbine engine that drives an aircraft Propeller (aeronautics), propeller. A turboprop consists of an intake, reduction drive, reduction gearbox, gas compressor, compressor, combustor, turbine, and a propellin ...
, , probe and drogue, , Canada / United States, , 1960, , production/ operational, , 180, , , - , Lockheed
KS-3B
, ,
Lockheed S-3 Viking The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-crew, twin-engine turbofan-powered jet aircraft designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Corporation. Because of its characteristic sound, it was nicknamed the "War Hoover" after ...
, , 2x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
, , probe and drogue, , United States, , , , retired, , , , The former primary
US Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
carrier-based tanker, equipped for buddy-buddy tanking. , - , Lockheed
TriStar

K1/KC1, , Lockheed
L-1011-500
TriStar
, , 3x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , 6, , Two K1 and four KC1 variants operated by No. 216 Squadron
Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
from
RAF Brize Norton Royal Air Force Brize Norton or RAF Brize Norton is the largest List of Royal Air Force stations, station of the Royal Air Force. Situated in Oxfordshire, about west north-west of London, it is close to the village of Brize Norton and the tow ...
. Fleet retired 24 March 2014. , - , LTV A-7
Corsair II
, , LTV A-7
Corsair II
, , jet, , probe and drogue, ,
Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
/ United States, , , , retired, , , , Equipped for buddy-buddy tanking in US Navy and Greek Air Force service. , - , McDonnell
Douglas
KC-10
Extender
, , McDonnell
Douglas
DC-10
, , 3x jet, , flying boom, , Netherlands / United States, , , , operational, , , , Also has a retractable hose and drogue that can be selected in-flight. Can be fitted with two underwing pods (similar to the KC-135's MPRS) capable of simultaneously refuelling two receiver aircraft (Wing Air Refueling Pods or WARPs). The
Royal Netherlands Air Force The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF; , "Royal Air Force") is the military aviation branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. It was created in 1953 to succeed its predecessor, the ''Luchtvaartafdeling'' () of the Dutch Army, which was founded ...
operates one out of originally two KDC-10s; former civil aircraft modified to a standard similar to the KC-10. The remaining KDC-10 will be withdrawn by the end of 2021. After overhaul, it will follow the other KDC-10 to be operated with Omega Aerial Refueling Services. , - , Mikoyan
MiG-29K
, , Mikoyan
MiG-29M
, , jet, , probe and drogue, , USSR/
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
, , , , operational, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - , Myasishchev
M-4-2
, , Myasishchev
M-4
bomber, , 4x jet, , probe and drogue, , USSR, , , , retired, , , , , - , Myasishchev
3MS-2
, , Myasishchev
3M
bomber, , 4x jet, , probe and drogue, , USSR, , , , retired, , , , , - , Panavia
Tornado
, , Panavia
Tornado
, , 2x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
, , probe and drogue, , , , , , retired, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - , Sukhoi
Su-24M
, , Sukhoi
Su-24
, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, , USSR, , , , operational, , , , Equipped for buddy-buddy refuelling in the
Russian Air Force The Russian Air Force () is a branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the latter being formed on 1 August 2015 with the merging of the Russian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the reb ...
with the in-flight refuelling pod ( – UPAZ) container as 'Strike tankers'. , - , Sukhoi
Su-33
, , Sukhoi
Su-33
, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, , USSR, , , , operational, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - , Supermarine
Scimitar
, , Supermarine
Scimitar, , jet, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , , , Buddy-buddy refuelling. , - , Tupolev
Tu-16N
, , Tupolev
Tu-16 bomber
, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, , USSR, , , , retired, , , , , - , Tupolev
Tu-16Z
, , Tupolev
Tu-16
, , 2x jet, , wing to wing, , USSR, , , , retired, , , , , - , Vickers
Valiant
B(K).1, B(PR)K.1 , , Vickers
Valiant, , 4x jet, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , , , The Valiants had removable tanker system in the bomb bay. Operated by
Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
. , - , Vickers
VC10

C1K, K2, K3, K4, , Vickers VC10, Vickers
VC10
, , 4x
turbofan A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft engine, aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the add ...
, , probe and drogue, , United Kingdom, , , , retired, , 27, , C1K (13), K2 (5), K3 (4), and K4 (5) variants served with the
Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
, operated by 10 Squadron, 101 Squadron, and 1312 Flight. Fleet retired 20 September 2013. , - , Xian
HY-6
, , Xian
H-6
, , 2x jet, , probe and drogue, ,
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
, , , , production/ operational, , , ,
People's Liberation Army Air Force The People's Liberation Army Air Force, also referred to as the Chinese Air Force () or the People's Air Force (), is the primary aerial warfare service of the People's Liberation Army. The PLAAF controls most of the PLA's air assets, includi ...
(PLAAF) of China. , - , Xian
YU-20
, , Xian
Y-20
, , 4x jet, , probe and drogue, ,
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
, , , , production/ operational, , , ,
People's Liberation Army Air Force The People's Liberation Army Air Force, also referred to as the Chinese Air Force () or the People's Air Force (), is the primary aerial warfare service of the People's Liberation Army. The PLAAF controls most of the PLA's air assets, includi ...
(PLAAF) of China. , -


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tanker Aircraft, List Of Lists of aircraft by role Lists of military aircraft Military logistics