On the other hand, a tanker aircraft typically flies from a much more prepared base, something with a longer, guaranteed to be well paved runway, in non-contested airspace, with minimal or no risk of MANPADS in the area.
The design requirements for a C-17 to operate from a rough field, such as that which was built at camp bastion in Helmand province, are considerably different than for an aerial refueling tanker.
The rough field tactical tanker role is as far as I know presently served by a variant of c130 modified for special forces missions.
The design requirements for a C-17 to operate from a rough field, such as that which was built at camp bastion in Helmand province, are considerably different than for an aerial refueling tanker.
The rough field tactical tanker role is as far as I know presently served by a variant of c130 modified for special forces missions.