Boeing RC-135V Rivet Joint

Based on the Boeing KC-135 aerial refuelling tanker, the RC-135 family of electronic surveillance aircraft has been in constant development since the 1960s. The KC-135 was developed from the Boeing 717, a shorter and narrower aircraft compared to the Boeing 707 airliner. First entering service in 1957, eventually 803 KC-135s were produced between 1955 and 1965. In addition to the USAF, the RC-135 Rivet Joint is also operated by the RAF by 51 Squadron.

In total, the USAF operate 29 RC-135s, the majority being the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint which is their primary signals intelligence asset. All USAF RC-135s are assigned to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB in Nebraska however aircraft a forward deployed around the globe including to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. The USAF RC-135 fleet has all been upgraded to use the CFM56 engine giving the type 60% greater range and is 25% more fuel efficient.

A single RC-135V Rivet Joint from the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron will be on static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of our ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme.

Photo Credit: Paul Fiddian