Page 48 - Aviation News (February 2020)

OTHER USAF RC-135 VARIANTS

RC-135U Combat Sent
Two of the original three RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft, first converted in
1970, continue to fly and collect detailed electronic intelligence (ELINT)
data related to radar and SAM emitter systems which can be immediately
transmitted or recorded for later exploitation. Their most distinctive
external feature is their chin fairing, making them the heaviest variant in the
RC-135 fleet. Combat Sent crews comprise a minimum of ten electronic
warfare officers (EWOs) or ‘Ravens’, two airborne systems engineers, plus
six or more other specialists and four flight crew.

One of the ten RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft that carry the same
equipment as the seven RC-135Vs. USAF
They are crewed by a team of approximately 12 linguists/analysts and three
Ravens, plus maintenance technicians and four flight crew.
Most recent modifications include a small ‘hump’ in front of the tail. This is
The RC-135U Combat Sent can be easily distinguished from other understood to be connected with the Family of Advanced Beyond-Line-
RC-135 variants by its different nose configuration. This example, of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) which permit secure Presidential and National
64-14847/OF, also sports a shark’s mouth. AirTeamImages.com/Ian Tate Voice Conferencing (PNVC) and data transmission over the US satellite
communications system.
RC-135V/W Rivet Joint The entire RC-135 fleet is continually being upgraded as individual aircraft pass
Both the RC-135V and ’W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft generally through Periodic Depot Maintenance, so airframe equipment fits are rarely
carry the same equipment. The difference in designation between the identical. That situation can be further complicated by short-term additions of
two variants comes from their origins. The seven RC-135Vs started life as specialised items to meet urgent requirements for specific operations.
RC-135C Big Team aircraft and one is a converted RC-135U. The RC-135Ws Three aircraft are used to train RC-135 pilots and navigators. One is
are modified C-135Bs and RC-135M Rivet Card airframes. Both the V and designated a TC-135S for Cobra Ball crew training and two are TC-135Ws
W operate as advanced stand-off signals intelligence (SIGINT) platforms for the Rivet Joint fleet. While they don’t carry mission equipment they are
able to collect huge volumes of data, voice and electronic transmissions. fitted with the same navigational systems as the operational aircraft.

The aircraft participated in operations range optical and infrared surveillance a ‘routine mission’ 150 miles (240km) off
Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, devices. Also, there is the Multiple the North Korean coast the RC-135S was
although no details of the missions have Tracking Optical System (MTOS) uses shadowed for 22 minutes.
been disclosed. electro-optical and infrared radiometric Justin George in The Week magazine
Cobra Ball airframes have been regularly sensors which assists later materials reported that on March 29, 2019 RC-
modernised, managed by contractor analysis of tracked missiles. 135S 62-4128 departed Diego Garcia,
L3 Communications. Today they have Designated operating locations away with two KC-135R tankers in support.
a more uniform external appearance, from Offutt AFB include: Eielson AFB, RAF It monitored an Indian anti-satellite
with the large cheek bulges, similar to Mildenhall, Souda Bay on Crete, Kadena missile test over the Bay of Bengal. The
the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft with AB, Japan, Al Udeid in the UAE and Diego interceptor missile was launched from
which they now share significantly greater Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Abdul Kalam Island on India’s east coast
commonality. The Cobra Ball aircraft were The USAF remains very tight-lipped about against a Microsat-R, a 1,631lb (740kg)
also re-engined with CFM56 turbofans Cobra Ball activity. On a few occasions military satellite it had launched two
along with the rest of the RC-135 fleet Cobra Ball missions have come to public months earlier. Less clear was if the
more than 15 years ago. attention. On March 2, 2003 two North RC-135S collected data from the anti-
An operational crew is comprised Korean Mikoyan MiG-29s and two MiG-23s satellite missile’s launch phase, or if it
of 11 people: pilot, co-pilot, navigator, intercepted 61-2663, operating from Kadena was observing and tracking target debris
three electronic warfare officers, two AB, over the Sea of Japan. Described as as it re-entered the atmosphere.
airborne system Significant recent
engineers, two increases in Russian
operators and a missile tests from
tactical coordinator. the Barents Sea and
The operators and Plesetsk in northwest
Ravens continue to Russia plus launch
be seated down the exercises in the Baltic
right-hand side of have seen Cobra
the aircraft. These Ball deployments
can be augmented to Europe stepped
by additional crew up. More Chinese
members when and North Korean
required. Today missile tests have
sensors look out similarly resulted in
of both sides of a growing number
the aircraft. They of deployments to
include the Textron- Japan. North Korean
built Medium Wave launches have
Infrared Array (MIRA), A rarely seen line-up of three Cobra Ball aircraft at Offutt AFB in 2001 with an RC-135W Rivet increased enormously
which has long- Joint at the back. USAF/SRA Jeremy Smith since 2013.

46 AVIATION NEWS FEBRUARY 2020

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