A KC-10 Extender tanker aircraft in flight, circa 2024. The KC-10’s unusual “trijet” design includes a third engine embedded into the aircraft’s tail. (Shutterstock/ranchorunner)

Are America’s Retired KC-10 Extender Tanker Planes Going to Africa?

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An Air Force contracting notice suggested the retired aircraft could soon be upgraded for service in an unspecified “partner nation in North Africa”—presumably either Morocco or Egypt.

The United States Air Force officially retired its final KC-10 Extender just over two years ago, in late September 2024. The service had operated 60 of the McDonnell Douglas-built aircraft, based on the DC-10 airliner, with the Extender first entering service in 1981.

Four of those aircraft could soon be headed to Africa to see their service extended.

Earlier this week, the United States Air Force’ Life Cycle Management Center (LCMC) posted a contracting notice, which called for insight from industry to determine how quickly four Extenders could be made ready for transfer to an undisclosed partner nation under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. It oversees the transfer of surplus US military equipment to foreign partners, and can include platforms that have been retired, like the KC-10.

Where Will the KC-10s Go?

What is notable about this notice is that the US Air Force didn’t disclose where the aircraft could be headed.

“The intended purpose is to identify potential industry sources that possess the capability, expertise, and facilities to execute the regeneration, one-time flight clearance, depot-level return to service, worldwide ferry delivery, in-country Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), and operational/maintenance........

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