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How to Buy a KC-10

Air Force is selling the ‘non-flyable’ retired jets at auction.

Ryan Ewing
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Edited By: Ryan Ewing
KC-10 takeoff
A KC-10 Extender takes off [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force / Kenneth Abbate)
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Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Air Force is auctioning off 10 non-flyable KC-10 tankers, with bidding starting at $500,000, but they lack their refueling booms.
  • Buyers are responsible for making these aircraft, currently stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, compliant with FAA regulations.
  • The KC-10 Extender fleet was officially retired in September 2024 after 44 years of service, being replaced by the newer KC-46A tankers.
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A batch of 10 KC-10 tankers is set to be auctioned off by the U.S. Air Force. But they come with a catch: no boom.

Starting on Tuesday, the General Services Administration will open an auction for the aircraft. Bidding starts at $500,000, with the auction scheduled to end on May 6.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan is Sr. Director of Digital for Firecrown's Aviation Group. In 2013, he founded AirlineGeeks.com, a leading trade publication covering the airline industry. Since then, his work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the airline industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Previously, he worked for a Part 135 operator and later a major airline. Ryan is also an Adjunct Instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

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