What is Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint used for?
ROLE. RC-135W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that can be employed in all theatres on strategic and tactical missions. Its sensors ‘soak up’ electronic emissions from communications, radar and other systems.
How far can Rivet Joint see?
The RIVET JOINT aircraft are capable of conducting ELINT and COMINT intercept operations against targets at ranges of up to 240 kilometers [in contrast to the 280 kilometer intercept range of the higher-flying U-2].
How many Rivet Joint aircraft does RAF have?
20 aircraft
The Rivet Joint global fleet includes 20 aircraft, three of which belong to the Royal Air Force. ZZ664 is the first aircraft from the combined UK/US fleet to undergo these major enhancements.
What can Rivet Joint detect?
Rivet Joint not only detects, geolocates, and classifies enemy air defense emitters, but it also provides communications and other forms of signals intelligence.
Is Rivet Joint still in service?
RC-135W Rivet Joint (Project Airseeker) 51 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Waddington along with the RAF’s other ISTAR assets. They are expected to remain in service until 2045.
Can a rivet joint air to air refuel?
While the USAF claims it to be the aircraft’s first aerial refuelling sortie, the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed to IHS Jane’s that the RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint crews are now fully qualified to conduct ‘boom-and-receptacle’ air-to-air refuelling (AAR) missions.
What is the RC 135U?
The RC-135U aircraft are manned by Air Combat Command crews from the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron and the 97th Intelligence Squadron (of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency). The Combat Sent is composed of a wide variety of commercial off-the-shelf and proprietary hardware and software.
Where are Raf Rivet Joints based?
RAF Waddington
Based at RAF Waddington by 51 Squadron, the Rivet Joint aircraft are part of the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force.
What is Rivet Joint?
A riveted joint is a permanent joint with mainly two components (parts to be joined) which are held together by a rivet with the head at top and tail at the bottom.
What is an RC 135U?
How many RC-135S does the RAF have?
32
Based on the C-135 Stratolifter airframe, various types of RC-135s have been in service since 1961….Boeing RC-135.
| RC-135 | |
|---|---|
| Primary users | United States Air Force Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 32 total airframes in all iterations |
| Developed from | C-135 Stratolifter |
How many voyagers does the RAF have?
The fleet is provided to the RAF by the AirTanker consortium, and a ‘core’ inventory of nine Voyagers operates from RAF Brize Norton with Nos 10 and 101 Squadrons. A further five can be provided as an emergency ‘surge’ capability if required.
How many RC 135u are there?
Boeing RC-135
| RC-135 | |
|---|---|
| Introduction | 1961 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary users | United States Air Force Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 32 total airframes in all iterations |
How many RC 135S are there?
three RC-135S aircraft
There are three RC-135S aircraft in the Air Force inventory all assigned to Air Combat Command and permanently based at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
What are the types of rivet joints?
There are two main types of riveted joint: lap-joints and butt-joints(Fig. 16.33). In lap joints the components to be joined overlap each other, while for butt joints an additional piece of material is used to bridge the two components to be joined which are butted up against each other.
How much fuel can a Voyager carry?
Maximum fuel load: 245,000lb (111,000kg) Maximum payload: around 99,000lb (45,000kg)
How many RC 135S does the RAF have?
How many RC 135U are there?
An RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft flies a training mission from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. There are only two Combat Sent aircraft in the Air Force inventory and both are assigned to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB.
What is the RC-135V/W Rivet?
The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level consumers with near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. The aircraft is an extensively modified C-135.
What type of aircraft is the rivet?
The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is the U.S. Air Force’s primary signals intelligence aircraft. The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level consumers with near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities.
What kind of aircraft is the RC-135V?
The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is the U.S. Air Force’s primary signals intelligence aircraft. The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level consumers with near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. The aircraft is an extensively modified C-135.
How many RC-135s are in the 55th Wing?
The 55th Wing operates 22 platforms in three variants: three RC-135S Cobra Ball, two RC-135U Combat Sent, and 17 RC-135V/W Rivet Joint. On August 9, 2010, the Rivet Joint program recognized its 20th anniversary of continuous service in Central Command, dating back to the beginning of Desert Shield.