RC-135U Combat Sent
The Boeing RC-135 is a family of large reconnaissance aircraft built by Boeing and used by the United States Air Force and Royal Air Force to support theater and national level intelligence consumers with near real-time on-scene collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. Based on the C-135 Stratolifter airframe, various types of RC-135s have been in service since 1961. Unlike the C-135 and KC-135 which are recognized by Boeing as the Model 717, the RC-135 is internally designated as the Model 739 by the company. Many variants have been modified numerous times, resulting in a large variety of designations, configurations, and program names. Combat Sent aircraft in flight with its unique nose cone, wingtips, and tail The RC-135U Combat Sent is designed to collect technical intelligence on adversary radar emitter systems. Combat Sent data is collected to develop new or upgraded radar warning receivers, jammers, decoys, anti-radiation missiles, and training simulators. Distinctly identified by the antennae arrays on the nose, tail, and wing tips, three RC-135C aircraft were converted to RC-135U (63-9792, 64-14847, & 64-14849) in the early 1970s and 63-9792 was converted to Rivet Joint, late 1978, and all aircraft are based at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Minimum crew requirements are 2 pilots, 2 navigators, 3 systems engineers, 10 electronic warfare officers, and 6 area specialists.

The Hog-Nosed RC-135 The hog-nosed RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, Rivet Joint, bristles with an extensive antenna array and strange looking bulges on its fuselage. It is a high-altitude version of the C-135, a militarized version of the veritable Boeing 707. Rivet Joint aircraft are assigned to the 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and one is deployed to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. It provides direct, real-time reconnaissance information and electronic warfare support to theater commanders, mission planners and combat forces. Information gathered by the RC-135 is made available to theater commanders, Department of Defense, and the National Command Authorities. Data is processed, analyzed, and stored by Air Combat Command, Air Intelligence Agency, and National Security Agency specialists. Internal reconnaissance equipment aboard the aircraft includes sensors, receiver systems, probe, blade, wire and dielectric panel antenna, and it is fitted with camera system Windows. The RC-135 also carries high, very high, and ultra-high frequency radios, conventional radar and doppler radar. It also uplinks to DOD’s Global Positioning Satellite network, stellar and the INS navigation system. The Rivet Joint works closely with the E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) during war or contingency situations. Air Force officials earlier this year consolidated training for linguists assigned RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft duties by moving initial aircraft qualification training to the 97th Intelligence Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebr., headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command, formerly the Strategic Air Command. All Rivet Joint linguists receive qualification at the 97th IS before being assigned to one of the three RC-135 Rivet Joint locations at Kadena Air Base, Japan; Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall, United Kingdom, and Offutt Air Force Base, Nebr., officials said. The other two variants of the RC-135 are the RC-135U Combat Sent, and the RC-135S Cobra Ball. Their missions are more specialized than Rivet Joint, and the equipment carried aboard each version is unique to each model. All RC-135s are equipped with an air refueling system, giving the aircraft unlimited range. Operations supported by Rivet Joint over the past decade includes Urgent Fury, Eldorado Canyon, Just Cause, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Proven Force, Provide Comfort, Southern Watch, Vigilant Warrior, Deny Flight, Provide Promise and Uphold Democracy.

The current RC-135S aircraft trace their lineage to C-135 aircraft originally modified in 1961 and operated in 24-hour alert status out of Shemya AFB, Alaska. In 1994, all RC-135S aircraft and operations were transferred to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska. This action, along with many others, helped peacefully close another chapter in the history of the Cold War. Initially employed by Strategic Air Command to satisfy nationally tasked intelligence collection requirements, the RC-135S has also participated in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. All Cobra Ball airframe and mission systems modifications are overseen by L-3 Communications, under the oversight of Air Force Materiel Command. 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.. The Cobra Ball is operated by the 55th Wing, and manned with aircrews from the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, and the 97th Intelligence Squadron, using various forward deployment locations worldwide.  

General Characteristics  

• Primary Function: Reconnaissance  
• Contractor: L-3 Communications  
• Power Plant: Four CFM International F108-CF-201 high bypass turbofan engines  
• Thrust: 21,600 pounds each engine  
• Unrefueled Range: 3,900 miles (6,500 kilometers)  
• Length: 135 feet (41.1 meters)  
• Height: 42 feet (12.8 meters)  
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 297,000 pounds (133,633 kilograms)  
• Wingspan: 131 feet (39.9 meters)  
• Speed: 500+ miles per hour (Mach.66)  
• Flight Crew: (minimum) Two pilots, one navigator Mission flight crew: (minimum) - minimum consisting of three electronic warfare officers, two airborne systems engineers, and two airborne mission specialists 
• Unit Cost: unavailable  
• Date Deployed: March 1972 (CBII)  
• Inventory: Active force, 3; Reserve, 0; Guard, 0.

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