UK Receives Second RC-135 Aircraft Seven Months Early

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has received second RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft seven months early from the US.

“The aircraft was handed over today at RAF Mildenhall will be deployed on operations within weeks,” the MoD announced Friday.

According to the MoD, since delivery of the first aircraft last year, over 60 improvements have been incorporated into the second aircraft ranging from upgrades to the aircraft’s mission systems to engine improvements providing increased fuel efficiency and durability. The first aircraft will undergo an upgrade program to bring the aircraft in line with the improvements made on the second aircraft.

The United Kingdom has purchased three RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft from the US in a deal worth around £630 million. The aircraft will join 51 Squadron at RAF Waddington along with the RAF’s other ISTAR assets, like the Sentry and Sentinel.

The RC-135 signals intelligence aircraft is fitted with an on-board sensor suite that allows the aircraft to detect, identify and geo-locate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. The information can then be distributed in a variety of formats to a wide range of platforms through Rivet Joint’s extensive communications suite.

“The delivery of the second Airseeker provides our Armed Forces with another vital intelligence aircraft that will give valuable support to our fight against enemies such as ISIL. With a Defense budget that will rise in real terms over the next five years and a £163 billion equipment plan, we are able to give our Armed Forces the best equipment to meet the growing and complex threats we face today,” Defense Secretary, Michael Fallon said.