RC- 135V/ W RIVET JOINT
Air Force's primary airborne reconnaissance platform
MISSION
Rivet Joint is the Air Force's primary airborne recon-naissance
platform providing data to theater commanders and national command authorities. This data is essential
for effective combat operations. Rivet Joint crews also directly support combat opera-tions
through Information Warfare support. They also perform direction- finding and range estima-tions
in support of search and rescue operations.
FEATURES
The RC- 135V/ W is a four- engine, long- range, high-altitude,
all- weather reconnaissance platform. It is a modified version of the C- 135 aircraft.
The RC- 135 has high, very high and ultra high frequency radios, radar and a doppler/ GPS/ stellar/ INS navi-gation
system. Other equipment may include a variety of sensor
types; receiver systems; probe; blade; and various fairlings used to smooth the outline of the aircraft and reduce drag.
The Rivet Joint is continually being upgraded. As the aircraft go through depot maintenance, they
receive the latest system upgrades. This leads to ongoing training programs for crewmembers and maintainers alike.
BACKGROUND
Rivet Joint flew numerous missions in support of
Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Additionally, Rivet Joint has participated in Operation
Uphold Democracy in support of Haiti operations; Opera-tions Provide Hope and Provide Comfort in support of
relief for the Kurdish and Shiite peoples of Iraq; Operation El Dorado Canyon, the retaliatory strike against Libya by
U. S. forces; and Operation Urgent Fury, the liberation of Grenada.
RC-135 General Characteristics
Primary Function: Reconnaissance platform providing data to theater
commanders and national command authorities.
Prime Contractors: Boeing Aerospace Co.
Power Plant: 4 Pratt & Whitney TF33- P- 9 or TF33- P- 5 turbofans
Thrust per Engine: 16,050 pounds
Length: 140 feet, six inches
Height: 41 feet, 8 inches
Wingspan: 130 feet, 10 inches
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 299,000 pounds
Speed: 500 mph
Range: Unlimited with aerial refueling
Ceiling: Above 35,000 feet
Crew: Minimum of 24;
includes pilot and copilot, two navigators,
three electronic warfare officers and a maintenance technician, all assigned to Air Combat Command;
15 enlisted
operators and one maintenance technician, all assigned
to Air Intelligence Agency
Date Deployed: 1973
Inventory: 14, with 2 more planned for production