RC-135U Combat Sent

The RC‑135U Combat Sent, a variant of the Lockheed‑derived RC‑135 family built by Boeing, entered service in 1989 as the United States Air Force’s premier signals‑intelligence platform. Developed from the C‑135 Stratolifter airframe, the aircraft incorporates a sophisticated suite of antennas, dish arrays and electronic‑surveillance equipment that can intercept, identify and geolocate a wide spectrum of radar, communications and data‑link emissions. Its five‑person crew operates dedicated processing stations, while an onboard data‑link streams collected intelligence to ground stations in near real‑time. The Combat Sent’s extended range—over 10,000 nautical miles—and on‑board refueling capability enable long‑duration missions over contested airspace, supporting both strategic and theater‑level operations. Throughout the Gulf War, the Balkans, Afghanistan and recent Indo‑Pacific deployments, the RC‑135U has provided critical electronic‑order‑of‑battle pictures, allowing commanders to shape air‑defense suppression and strike planning. Its enduring relevance stems from continual upgrades to processors, software and sensor packages, keeping it at the forefront of ISR capabilities. The aircraft epitomizes the integration of legacy airframes with cutting‑edge electronics, cementing Boeing’s role in modern aerial intelligence gathering. Its presence continues to shape modern battlefields, ensuring that the United States maintains a decisive edge in electronic warfare and situational awareness.

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