WC-135 Constant Phoenix

The Boeing WC‑135 Constant Phoenix is a specialized weather reconnaissance and atmospheric sampling aircraft derived from the C‑135 Stratolifter platform. First introduced in the early 1960s, the plane entered service with the U.S. Air Force to monitor nuclear tests and later to track foreign nuclear explosions, chemical releases, and volcanic ash. Over the decades the fleet has been upgraded with advanced sensor suites, including gamma‑ray spectrometers, particulate collectors, and real‑time data links that transmit findings to command centers worldwide. Its distinctive painted tail, featuring a phoenix rising from flames, symbolizes the aircraft’s role in detecting and confronting airborne threats.

Key features include a pressurized cabin for a crew of up to six, modular instrumentation bays that can be reconfigured for specific missions, and a robust air‑refuelable engine that gives it a range of more than 7,000 nautical miles. The Constant Phoenix has played a pivotal part in events such as the monitoring of Soviet nuclear tests during the Cold War, the verification of the 1998 Indian nuclear tests, and the detection of hazardous plume releases after the 2010 Icelandic volcanic eruption. Its longevity and adaptability make it a unique asset, underscoring the importance of airborne scientific surveillance in modern aviation and national security.