The RC-135 is a family of U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft based on the C-135 airframe, with the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint as the best-known signals-intelligence variant. The aircraft supports theater and national consumers with near-real-time intelligence collection and dissemination.
Rivet Joint aircraft carry specialized sensor suites and a large mission crew able to detect, identify, geolocate, analyze, and forward signals intelligence. Their communications systems allow collected information to be distributed quickly to commanders, analysts, and other platforms.
The RC-135 fleet has been continuously relevant because electromagnetic intelligence is central to modern military operations. Forward-deployed Rivet Joint missions help monitor adversary radars, communications, and force activity, making the aircraft a high-value asset in crises short of open conflict as well as wartime operations.
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