RC-135

The RC‑135 is a family of United States Air Force reconnaissance aircraft derived from the Boeing C‑135 Stratolifter, itself a militarized version of the Boeing 707. First introduced in 1964, the RC‑135 program grew out of Cold‑War demands for high‑altitude, long‑range electronic intelligence (ELINT) and signals‑intelligence (SIGINT) platforms capable of over‑flight of hostile territory. Variants such as the RC‑135V “Rivet Joint,” RC‑135U “Combat Sent,” and RC‑135W “Cobra Ball” incorporate specialized sensor suites, ranging from side‑looking airborne radar (SLAR) and optical cameras to sophisticated communications‑interception arrays and missile‑trajectory‑tracking radars. The aircraft’s distinctive bulging nose, belly antenna fairings, and wing‑mounted fuel pods enable the carriage of large radar dishes and extensive antenna clusters while preserving a ceiling above 50,000 feet and an unrefueled range exceeding 6,000 nautical miles. Over six decades, RC‑135s have played pivotal roles in monitoring Soviet and later Russian air defenses, tracking ballistic‑missile tests, and supporting modern operations in the Middle East and the Indo‑Pacific. Their ability to collect, process, and disseminate real‑time intelligence makes them indispensable to national security, cementing the RC‑135’s status as a cornerstone of strategic airborne surveillance.

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