The AMP standard includes conversion from analog readouts to a digital "glass cockpit" configuration. ==Operational history== The current RC-135 fleet is the latest iteration of modifications to this pool of aircraft dating back to the early 1960s.
Based on the C-135 Stratolifter airframe, various types of RC-135s have been in service since 1961.
That distinction belongs to the RC-135S, which began operational reconnaissance missions in 1961, followed by the RC-135D in 1962. The next variant ordered was the RC-135B, to be used as an electronic intelligence aircraft to replace the Boeing RB-47H Stratojet, a SIGINT platform.
KC-135As 55–3121, 55–3127, 59–1465, and 59-1514 were modified beginning in 1961.
These three aircraft were ordered as KC-135A tankers, but delivered without refueling booms, and known as "falsie C-135As" pending the delivery of the first actual C-135A cargo aircraft in 1961.
There were six RC-135M aircraft, 62–4131, 62–4132, 62–4134, 62–4135, 62-4138 and 62–4139, all of which were later modified to and continue in active service as RC-135W Rivet Joints by the early 1980s. ===RC-135S Nancy Rae / Wanda Belle / Rivet Ball=== Rivet Ball was the predecessor program to Cobra Ball and was initiated with a single RC-135S (serial 59–1491, formerly a JKC-135A) on December 31, 1961.
Many variants have been modified numerous times, resulting in a large variety of designations, configurations, and program names. ==Design and development== The first RC-135 variant, the RC-135A, was ordered in 1962 by the United States Air Force to replace the Boeing RB-50 Superfortress.
That distinction belongs to the RC-135S, which began operational reconnaissance missions in 1961, followed by the RC-135D in 1962. The next variant ordered was the RC-135B, to be used as an electronic intelligence aircraft to replace the Boeing RB-47H Stratojet, a SIGINT platform.
They were delivered to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska in 1962 as part of the Office Boy Project.
The success of the mission prompted conversion of additional aircraft for intelligence gathering duties. ===KC-135R Rivet Stand / Rivet Quick=== Not to be confused with the CFM F108-powered KC-135R tanker, the KC-135R MDS was applied in 1963 to the three KC-135A reconnaissance aircraft under the Rivet Stand program.
The aircraft began operational missions in 1963.
The three airframes are former United States Air Force KC-135Rs, all of which first flew in 1964 but were modified to the latest RC-135W standard before delivery.
These ten aircraft were delivered directly to Martin Aircraft beginning in 1965 for installation of their operational electronics suite.
Originally delivered as a C-135B, 62-4137 operated from Shemya Air Force Station, Alaska from 1966 to 1969.
By 1967, they emerged as RC-135Cs and all entered service that year.
58–0126, was converted in 1969 to replace 1465 which had crashed in 1967.
The name Rivet Ball was assigned in January 1967.
56 Squadron (Test and Evaluation) ==Accidents and incidents== On 17 July 1967, a KC-135R Rivet Stand, 59-1465, crashed on takeoff from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
It holds the distinction of obtaining the very first photographic documentation of Soviet Multiple Reentry vehicle (MRV) testing on October 4, 1968.
58–0126, was converted in 1969 to replace 1465 which had crashed in 1967.
They are among the few KC-135 tankers equipped with an aerial refueling receptacle above the cockpit, a remnant of their service as intelligence gathering platforms. ===KC-135T Cobra Jaw=== KC-135R 55-3121 was modified in 1969 by Lockheed Air Services to the unique KC-135T configuration under the Cobra Jaw program name.
Originally delivered as a C-135B, 62-4137 operated from Shemya Air Force Station, Alaska from 1966 to 1969.
On June 5, 1969, Rivet Amber was lost at sea on a ferry flight from Shemya to Eielson AFB for maintenance, and no trace of the aircraft or its crew was ever found. ===RC-135M Rivet Card=== The RC-135M was an interim type with more limited ELINT capability than the RC-135C but with extensive additional COMINT capability.
On January 13, 1969 Rivet Ball was destroyed in a landing accident at Shemya when it overran the runway with no fatalities. ===RC-135S Cobra Ball=== The RC-135S Cobra Ball is a measurement and signature intelligence MASINT collector equipped with special electro-optical instruments designed to observe ballistic missile flights at long range.
Two aircraft were converted for Cobra Ball in 1969 and following the loss of an aircraft in 1981 another aircraft was converted in 1983.
One of the five crew members aboard was killed. On 13 January 1969, USAF RC-135S, 59-1491, called "Rivet Ball", was returning from an operational reconnaissance mission, when it landed at Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska in a snowstorm.
The aircraft was written off as damaged beyond repair, but many components specific to the reconnaissance mission were salvaged for later use. On 5 June 1969, USAF RC-135E, 62-4137, called "Rivet Amber", departed Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska for a ferry flight to Eielson Air Force Base.
In the late 1970s, with the expansion of the RC-135 fleet powered by TF33 turbofan engines, the RC-135Ds were converted into tankers, and remain in service as receiver-capable KC-135Rs. ===RC-135E Lisa Ann / Rivet Amber=== Originally designated C-135B-II, project name Lisa Ann, the RC-135E Rivet Amber was a one-of-a-kind aircraft equipped with a large 7 MW Hughes Aircraft phased-array radar system.
Combat Sent data is collected to develop new or upgraded radar warning receivers, radar jammers, decoys, anti-radiation missiles, and training simulators. Distinctly identified by the antenna arrays on the fuselage chin, tailcone, and wing tips, three RC-135C aircraft were converted to RC-135U (63-9792, 64–14847, & 64-14849) in the early 1970s.
The sole RC-135X was also converted into an RC-135S in 1995 to supplement the other aircraft. ===RC-135T Rivet Dandy=== KC-135T 55-3121 was modified to RC-135T Rivet Dandy configuration in 1971.
In 1973 the aircraft's SIGINT gear was removed and transferred to KC-135R 58–0126, resulting in 55-3121 assuming the role of trainer, a role which it fulfilled for the remainder of its operational existence.
63-9792 was later converted into a Rivet Joint in 1978, and all aircraft remain in service based at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
In the early 1980s they were further converted to tankers with the designation KC-135D (of the same basic configuration as the KC-135A and later E, plus some remaining special mission equipment).
There were six RC-135M aircraft, 62–4131, 62–4132, 62–4134, 62–4135, 62-4138 and 62–4139, all of which were later modified to and continue in active service as RC-135W Rivet Joints by the early 1980s. ===RC-135S Nancy Rae / Wanda Belle / Rivet Ball=== Rivet Ball was the predecessor program to Cobra Ball and was initiated with a single RC-135S (serial 59–1491, formerly a JKC-135A) on December 31, 1961.
Two aircraft were converted for Cobra Ball in 1969 and following the loss of an aircraft in 1981 another aircraft was converted in 1983.
During the flight all contact with 62-4137 was lost and the wreckage of the aircraft was never found. On 15 March 1981, USAF RC-135S, 61-2664, called "Cobra Ball", crashed on final approach in bad weather to Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska on a flight from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
In 1982 the aircraft was modified with Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW102 engines and other modifications common to the KC-135E tanker program, and returned to Eielson AFB.
Two aircraft were converted for Cobra Ball in 1969 and following the loss of an aircraft in 1981 another aircraft was converted in 1983.
It crashed while on approach to Valdez Airport, Alaska on 25 February 1985 with the loss of three crew members.
The wreckage was not found until August 1985, six months after the accident. ===RC-135U Combat Sent=== The RC-135U Combat Sent is designed to collect technical intelligence on adversary radar emitter systems.
It was converted from an EC-135B in 1985 following the crash of the former RC-135T 55–3121, which had been used as a trainer up to that point.
Of the twenty-four occupants of the aircraft, six were killed. On 25 February 1985, USAF RC-135T, 55-3121, operating out of Eielson AFB, Alaska, was flying practice approaches in very poor weather at the Valdez Municipal Airport, Alaska.
The wreckage was not located until 2 August 1985. On 30 April 2015, USAF RC-135V, 64-14848, operating out of Offutt AFB, NE aborted takeoff on a routine training mission when crewmembers observed smoke and flames coming from the aft galley.
RC-135s have maintained a constant presence in Southwest Asia since the early 1990s.
Since 1992 they have been assigned to Air Combat Command.
In 1993, it was converted into an additional RC-135S Cobra Ball. ===TC-135=== Three aircraft are in service for crew training, and lack fully functional mission equipment.
The sole RC-135X was also converted into an RC-135S in 1995 to supplement the other aircraft. ===RC-135T Rivet Dandy=== KC-135T 55-3121 was modified to RC-135T Rivet Dandy configuration in 1971.
Baseline 8 Rivet Joints (in the 2000s) introduced the first major change to the external RC-135V/W configuration replacing the MUCELS antennas with plain blade antennas.
When the time came to upgrade the maritime Nimrods to MRA4 standard, Project Helix was launched in August 2003 to study options for extending the life of the R1 out to 2025.
All further reconnaissance variants that followed were modified aircraft, either from earlier RC-135 variants or from tankers and transports. In 2005, the RC-135 fleet completed a series of significant airframe, navigation and powerplant upgrades which include re-engining from the TF33 to the CFM International CFM-56 (F108) engines used on the KC-135R and T Stratotanker and upgrade of the flight deck instrumentation and navigation systems to the AMP standard.
The option of switching to Rivet Joint was added to Helix in 2008, and the retirement of the R1 became inevitable when the MRA4 was cancelled under the UK's 2010 defence review.
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.
During this time it has flown over 8,000 combat missions supporting air and ground forces of Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, which continues to this day. On 22 March 2010 the British Ministry of Defence announced that it had reached agreement with the US Government to purchase three RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft to replace the Nimrod R1, which was subsequently retired in June 2011.
The option of switching to Rivet Joint was added to Helix in 2008, and the retirement of the R1 became inevitable when the MRA4 was cancelled under the UK's 2010 defence review.
As of September 2010 the aircraft had approximately 23,200 flying hours, 22,200 hours and 23,200 hours. 51 Sqn personnel began training at Offutt in January 2011 for conversion to the RC-135.
During this time it has flown over 8,000 combat missions supporting air and ground forces of Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, which continues to this day. On 22 March 2010 the British Ministry of Defence announced that it had reached agreement with the US Government to purchase three RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft to replace the Nimrod R1, which was subsequently retired in June 2011.
In 2013, the UK government confirmed that crews from the RAF's 51 Squadron had been training and operating alongside their USAF colleagues since 2011, having achieved in excess of 32,000 flying hours and 1,800 sorties as part of the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB.
The R1's involvement over Libya in Operation Ellamy delayed its retirement until June 2011. Helix became Project Airseeker, under which three KC-135R airframes were converted to RC-135W standard by L-3 Communications.
As of September 2010 the aircraft had approximately 23,200 flying hours, 22,200 hours and 23,200 hours. 51 Sqn personnel began training at Offutt in January 2011 for conversion to the RC-135.
In 2013, the UK government confirmed that crews from the RAF's 51 Squadron had been training and operating alongside their USAF colleagues since 2011, having achieved in excess of 32,000 flying hours and 1,800 sorties as part of the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB.
The RAF received the first RC-135W in September 2013, which was deployed from July 2014 to support coalition action against combat Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants in Iraq.
The first RC-135W (ZZ664) was delivered ahead of schedule to the Royal Air Force on 12 November 2013, for final approval and testing by the Defence Support and Equipment team prior to its release to service from the UK MAA.
The oxygen line system work, which was listed as the cause of this 2015 mishap, was carried out in August 2013. ==Specifications (RC-135)== ==See also== ==References== Citations Bibliography Cobra Ball – Federation of American Scientists RC-135S Cobra Ball Air Force's optical intelligence collection platform – Federation of American Scientists ==External links== Rivet Joint page on FAS.org The RB-47 & RC-135 in Vietnam By Bruce Bailey "A Tale of Two Airplanes" by Kingdon R.
The RAF received the first RC-135W in September 2013, which was deployed from July 2014 to support coalition action against combat Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants in Iraq.
Acquisition of the three aircraft was budgeted at £634m, with entry into service in October 2014.
The second aircraft was delivered seven months ahead of schedule in September 2015, with over sixty improvements incorporated ranging from upgrades to the aircraft's mission systems to engine improvements providing increased fuel efficiency and durability.
The second (ZZ665) was delivered on 4 September 2015 and the third (ZZ666) in June 2017; the latter entered operational service in December 2017. ===RC-135X Cobra Eye=== The sole RC-135X Cobra Eye was converted during the mid-to-late-1980s from a C-135B Telemetry/Range Instrumented Aircraft, serial number 62–4128, with the mission of tracking ICBM reentry vehicles.
The wreckage was not located until 2 August 1985. On 30 April 2015, USAF RC-135V, 64-14848, operating out of Offutt AFB, NE aborted takeoff on a routine training mission when crewmembers observed smoke and flames coming from the aft galley.
The oxygen line system work, which was listed as the cause of this 2015 mishap, was carried out in August 2013. ==Specifications (RC-135)== ==See also== ==References== Citations Bibliography Cobra Ball – Federation of American Scientists RC-135S Cobra Ball Air Force's optical intelligence collection platform – Federation of American Scientists ==External links== Rivet Joint page on FAS.org The RB-47 & RC-135 in Vietnam By Bruce Bailey "A Tale of Two Airplanes" by Kingdon R.
The aircraft, to be styled as 'Airseeker', were scheduled to be delivered by 2017 at a total cost of around £650 million, including provision of ground infrastructure, training of personnel and ground supporting systems.
The second (ZZ665) was delivered on 4 September 2015 and the third (ZZ666) in June 2017; the latter entered operational service in December 2017. ===RC-135X Cobra Eye=== The sole RC-135X Cobra Eye was converted during the mid-to-late-1980s from a C-135B Telemetry/Range Instrumented Aircraft, serial number 62–4128, with the mission of tracking ICBM reentry vehicles.
"King" Hawes, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.) RC-135U Combat Sent Presentation, Capt Logan Schrank, September 2017 C-135R, Boeing Cobra radars Signals intelligence C-135, Boeing Quadjets Low-wing aircraft
All text is taken from Wikipedia. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License .
Page generated on 2021-08-05