TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFPN -- While mostly known as a “flying gas station,” the KC-135 Stratotanker has served in many mission roles throughout its 45-plus years of service.

The aircraft has been a flying command post, an observation platform for the Open Skies Treaty, a zero-gravity simulator and a flying hospital.

Soon, this workhorse will add communications relay station to its capability list.

With the installation of ROBE, or Roll-on Beyond Line of Sight Enhancement equipment, the Stratotanker will be able to relay critical data while conducting air refueling.

“One of the goals for Air Force transformation is the better integration of military assets,” said Lt. Gen. John R. Baker, Air Mobility Command vice commander. “The ‘smart tanker concept,’ which expands the air-refueling mission by including an additional role as a communications platform, is a perfect fit.

“We directed this transformation effort to increase the use and effectiveness of our tankers because they are always in the area of operations refueling fighters, bombers and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets,” Baker said.

The ROBE system is roughly the size of the 2-foot-by-4-foot galley already in the tanker and is strapped to the floor of the aircraft like a pallet. It is the first in a family of terminals that will be used aboard tankers, said officials at the Air Force Command and Control and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The terminals could also be used on unmanned and ground- or sea-based vehicles, they said.

Initially ROBE will connect battle directors in an air and space operations center with those en route to or in a theater of operations.

“If you’re doing any combat operations, guess who’s always going to be there? Our tankers,” Baker said. “If we put a ROBE system on our tankers, knowing they will always be there, it will provide that over-the-horizon capability we need. The ROBE system will boost a signal to and from every friendly force in the theater … without using a satellite.”

However, the tanker’s primary mission is still refueling, Baker said.

“It will only be tasked to do refueling,” he said. “All the discussion regarding ROBE is that it will have zero impact on our refueling missions. Our refueling aircraft are too valuable to park out there (in orbit) and only use as a relay platform.”