RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT
Mission
The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level consumers with near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities.
Features
The aircraft is an extensively modified C-135. The Rivet Joint's modifications are primarily related to its on-board sensor suite, which allows the mission crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. The mission crew can then forward gathered information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via Rivet Joint's extensive communications suite.
The interior seats 32 people, including the cockpit crew, electronic warfare officers, intelligence operators and in-flight maintenance technicians.
The Rivet Joint fleet is currently undergoing significant airframe, navigational and powerplant upgrades which include re-engining from the TF-33 to the CFM-56 engines used on the KC-135R and upgrade of the flight deck instrumentation and navigational systems to the AMP standard. The AMP standard includes conversion from analog readouts to a digital “glass cockpit” configuration.
All Rivet Joint airframe and mission systems modifications are overseen by L-3 Communications (previously Raytheon), under the oversight of the Air Force Material Command.
Background
The current RC-135 fleet is the latest iteration of modifications to this pool of –135 aircraft going back to 1964. Initially employed by Strategic Air Command to satisfy nationally tasked intelligence collection requirements, the RC-135 fleet has also participated in every sizable armed conflict involving U.S. assets during its tenure. RC-135s were present supporting operations in Vietnam, the Mediterranean for Operation El Dorado Canyon, Grenada for Operation Urgent Fury, Panama for Operation Just Cause, and Southwest Asia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. RC-135s have maintained a constant presence in both Southwest Asia and in the area of the Balkans since the early 1990s.
All RC-135s are assigned to Air Combat Command. The RC-135 is permanently based at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. and operated by the 55th Wing, using various forward deployment locations worldwide.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Reconnaissance
Contractor: L-3 Communications
Power Plant: Four Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-5 turbofans
Thrust: 16,050 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: Five (augmented) - three pilots, two navigators
Mission flight crew: 21-27, depending on mission requirements, minimum consisting of three electronic warfare officers, 14 intelligence operators and four inflight/airborne maintenance technicians
Unit Cost: unavailable
Date Deployed: Initial RC-135 conversions from 1964-1968; V/W configurations, 1981
Inventory: Active force, 14; Reserve, 0; Guard, 0
Point of Contact
Air Combat Command,Public Affairs Office; 115 Thompson St., Ste. 211; Langley AFB, Va. 23665-1987; DSN 574-5014 or (757) 764-5014; e-mail: acc.pai@langley.af.mil
March 2001
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