Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint

Based on the Boeing KC-135 aerial refuelling tanker, the RC-135 family of electronic surveillance aircraft which have been in constant development since the 1960s. The KC-135 is shorter and narrower compared to the Boeing 707 airliner. First entering service in 1957, eventually 803 KC-135s were produced between 1955 and 1965. The USAF currently operate 29 RC-135s which are all assigned to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB in Nebraska however aircraft a forward deployed around the globe including to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.

Based at RAF Waddington, 51 Squadron operate a fleet of three RC-135Ws on behalf of the RAF who also call the type the Airseeker R1. 51 Squadron have undertaken the signals intelligence role in the RAF since 1958 but this was only acknowledged after the Cold War. The Squadron operated a modified version of the Nimrod from 1974 until 2011 when it was re-equipped with the RC-135W.

A single RC-135W Rivet Joint from 51 Squadron will be taking part in our Friday flying display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of celebration of 75 years of NATO.

Photo Credit: Peter March