autoevolution
 

When USAF Officers Look Out a Window, This Is What They See

There are few instances in this reality when aircraft are allowed to get incredibly close to one another while in the air. Pilots either do that when flying in formation during air shows, or when in need to replenish fuel supplies while in the air.
F-22 Raptor seen from the boom window of a KC-135 Stratotanker 12 photos
Photo: USAF/Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus
F-22 RaptorF-22 RaptorF-22 RaptorF-22 RaptorF-22 RaptorKC-135 StratotankerKC-135 StratotankerKC-135 StratotankerKC-135 StratotankerKC-135 StratotankerKC-135 Stratotanker
The latter occasion is also the one that allows for incredible photos of military aircraft in action to be taken. And you need look no further than the main pic of this story to get a sense of that.

What you’re seeing here is the sight one noncommissioned USAF officer deployed with the 350th Air Refueling Squadron found himself staring at through a window of his office in the sky, a KC-135 Stratotanker. A sight the officer decided to share with us all, because we’ll never grow tired of such things either, and these guys know it.

The F-22 Raptor that’s trailing the Stratotanker didn’t come so close because it wanted its picture taken. The plane is coming in for a refueling op, which took place back in August during the Red Flag 21-3 exercise over the Nevada Test and Training Range.

Technically, the F-22 rarely should need aerial refueling. The Lockheed Martin machine is capable of going for as much as 1,841 miles (2,962 km) in a single outing. The two Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines that power it are capable of accelerating the plane at speeds of Mach 2 (1,534 mph/2,469 kph), and can take it to altitudes of over 50,000 feet (15 km).

The KC-135 Stratotanker on the other hand is a much more sluggish best, traveling at speeds of at most 580 mph (933 kph). The four engines fitted onto it are not necessarily there for speed, but to allow it to lift a total gross weight of 297,000 pounds (134,717 kg).
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)

Editor's note: Gallery shows other F-22 Raptors and KC-135 Stratotankers.

About the author: Daniel Patrascu
Daniel Patrascu profile photo

Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories