DD Form 2130-6 – KC-10A 17 Pallet Load Plan – The DD Form 2130-6 is the official Department of Defense form used to document load plans for the KC-10A Extender aircraft in the 17-pallet configuration. This standardized form supports safe, efficient, and regulation-compliant cargo and passenger airlift operations for U.S. military units. It remains a critical tool in the Defense Transportation System when automated systems are unavailable.
Official copies of DD Form 2130-6 are maintained by the Washington Headquarters Services and are available for free download from the official DoD Forms website.
What Is DD Form 2130-6?
DD Form 2130-6, titled “KC-10A Load Plan (17 PALLETS Configuration),” was first issued in September 1998. The current edition remains valid, with the form file last updated in July 2024. It is one of the specialized aircraft diagrams within the broader DD Form 2130 series of load-planning documents.
According to the Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR) Part III, Appendix V (updated June 2025), the DD Form 2130 series is designed for use in load planning when a certified load planner does not have access to the Integrated Computerized Deployment System (ICODES). The front of the form serves as a detailed load-planning sheet that includes a scaled aircraft diagram specific to the KC-10A 17-pallet layout.
The form is prescribed for use by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and is listed on the official DoD Forms Management Program site.
Official DD Form 2130-6 Information Page
Purpose of the KC-10A 17-Pallet Load Plan
The KC-10A Extender is a multi-role aerial refueling and cargo aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force. In the 17-pallet configuration, the aircraft balances cargo capacity with increased passenger seating (commonly associated with Code D configurations that can accommodate up to approximately 75 seats depending on exact setup).
DD Form 2130-6 enables load planners to:
- Document the exact placement of 463L pallets, vehicles, equipment, and personnel
- Calculate and record weight, fuselage station, and moment data for center-of-balance control
- Ensure compliance with structural limits, restraint criteria, and safety regulations
- Provide a certified record signed by both the load planner and the load-plan validator
Accurate completion of this form is essential for flight safety, aircraft performance, and mission success during unit deployments, exercises, and contingency operations.
Key Sections of DD Form 2130-6
The form is organized into clearly labeled blocks that capture all critical planning data:
- Blocks 1–5: Unit being airlifted, Unit Identification Code (UIC), type of movement plan, movement date, and unit aircraft load number
- Blocks 6–10: Mission number, aircraft serial number, configuration, departure airfield, and destination airfield
- Block 11 – Actual Loadout: Scaled diagram (1/4 inch = 3 feet) of the KC-10A cargo compartment showing the 17 pallet positions. Load planners annotate sequence, item nomenclature, transportation control numbers, dimensions, planned and actual weights, fuselage stations, and moments
- Block 12: Passenger seats planning data (number of seats, average weight, total planned weight)
- Blocks 13–14: Total weight/moment calculations and load center-of-balance station
- Blocks 15a–15b: Certification by the load planner and approval by the load-plan validator, including typed name, grade, organization, date, and signature
- Remarks Codes: Standardized codes for off-center loads, centerline loads, shoring requirements, special handling, hazardous materials certification, fuel limitations, and equipment draining/purging status
These fields ensure every load is fully documented and can be verified by aircrew and aerial port personnel.
KC-10A Aircraft Capabilities in 17-Pallet Configuration
Per current DTR Part III planning data (June 2025), the KC-10A has the following general characteristics relevant to load planning:
- Maximum takeoff weight: 590,000 lbs
- Normal operating weight: approximately 252,000 lbs
- Peacetime planning Allowable Cabin Load (ACL): 80,000 lbs
- Wartime planning ACL: up to 148,600 lbs (subject to flight-weight limitations)
- Cargo compartment: approximately 1,508 inches long × 218 inches wide × 108 inches high (usable height restricted by curvature and door)
- Palletized cargo limits (using standard nets): typically 6,500 lbs for forward and aft positions and up to 10,000 lbs for mid-body positions
The 17-pallet layout prioritizes a mix of cargo and passengers, making it ideal for deployments that require both equipment and a significant number of personnel. A companion form, DD Form 2130-7, covers the higher-cargo 23-pallet configuration.
Defense Transportation Regulation Part III, Appendix V (Current Edition)
Who Uses DD Form 2130-6?
Primary users include:
- Certified air load planners (U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and joint mobility personnel)
- Unit Movement Officers
- Aerial port squadrons and mobility forces
- Air Mobility Command (AMC) and supporting units
Load planners must be graduates of an approved airlift planners course and maintain currency through periodic recertification. The completed form becomes part of the official mission documentation package.
How to Obtain and Use the Current Form?
Always download DD Form 2130-6 directly from the official Washington Headquarters Services DoD Forms site to ensure you have the latest version. Third-party websites may host outdated or altered copies.
Recommended best practices:
- Complete the form in accordance with DTR Part III, Appendix V preparation instructions
- Cross-check all weights, stations, and moments against the current KC-10A technical orders and zone charts
- Use the remarks codes provided on the form for clarity
- Obtain dual signatures (planner and validator) before the load is executed
- Retain copies for after-action reporting and audit purposes
Official Download Link – DD Form 2130-6 PDF
Related Forms and Resources
Personnel working with the KC-10A should also be familiar with:
- DD Form 2130-7 – KC-10A Load Plan (23 PALLETS Configuration)
- DD Form 2130C – Aircraft Load Plan Continuation Sheet
- AF Form 4095 – KC-10A Load Planning Worksheet (optional computational aid)
- DD Form 2131 – Passenger Manifest
- Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR) 4500.9-R, Part III
These documents together form the core reference set for KC-10A airlift planning within the U.S. Department of Defense.
Conclusion
DD Form 2130-6 remains the authoritative, standardized tool for documenting KC-10A load plans in the 17-pallet configuration. By providing a clear visual diagram, precise weight-and-balance data, and dual certification, the form supports safe and effective military air mobility operations across the United States and worldwide.
For the most current version and official guidance, always refer to the Washington Headquarters Services DoD Forms website and the latest edition of the Defense Transportation Regulation.
Download the official form now:
DD Form 2130-6 – KC-10A Load Plan (17 PALLETS Configuration)