RAF's new surveillance aircraft takes to the skies

[Indus Falcon]

RAF's new surveillance aircraft takes to the skies
27 May 2014

A Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft has been flown in UK airspace by an RAF aircrew for the first time.

Pictures released by MOD show a UK Rivet Joint RC-135W signals intelligence aircraft taking off from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. The aircraft is one of 3 that MOD is buying from the US which, as part of the Airseeker programme, will provide the UK with a world class real-time signals intelligence and surveillance capability for forces in the air and on the ground.

The aircraft not only gathers data and vital intelligence using advanced sensor technology, but it is also able to carry out onboard analysis and distribute the information to be exploited by assets on the ground via its high-tech communications suite.

Since 2011, members of the RAF's 51 Squadron have been operating United States Air Force Rivet Joint aircraft and ground stations to familiarise themselves with the aircraft and its capability.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:

'These highly specialised aircraft and their supporting ground systems, bought off-the-shelf, provide Britain with a first-class intelligence-gathering capability that is value for money and another key part of our ability to interoperate with the US.'

'Having jointly operated US aircraft with British and American personnel for 3 years, this proven strategic intelligence and surveillance capability will be an excellent addition to the RAF's fleet.'

The 3 aircraft, converted by L-3IS in Greenville, Texas, from a Boeing KC-135 tanker, have been bought directly from the US government at a cost of around £650 million.

The MOD's Chief of Materiel (Air), Air Marshal Simon Bollom, who oversaw the procurement of the aircraft, said:

'The first flight of the UK's Rivet Joint RC-135W aircraft, as part of the Airseeker programme with an RAF crew, is a proud moment for all in the Defence Equipment and Support team who have worked, and continue to work, so hard to deliver this outstanding capability to the front line.'

'We have procured an aircraft with a proven track record which has been successfully operated by the United States Air Force, with RAF crews under co-manning arrangements, for a number of years.'

'We have worked very closely with our colleagues in the US on this project and today's first flight signifies the commencement of a new and potent air ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) capability in the RAF inventory.'

Airseeker

The Airseeker capability, comprising all 3 UK Rivet Joint RC-135W aircraft and ground exploitation systems, operated by their highly skilled aircrews, ground crews and analysts, is due to be fully operational by mid-2017.

Airseeker joins the RAF's ISTAR Force, which includes Sentry, Shadow, Sentinel and Reaper as well as the reconnaissance capabilities of our fighter aircraft.

RAF's new surveillance aircraft takes to the skies

 

[Indus Falcon]

This is slightly old news, but on topic

U.K. Takes Delivery Of First RC-135 Rivet Joint
Nov 12, 2013

The first RC-135W Rivet Joint intelligence-gathering aircraft for the U.K.Royal Air Force(RAF) has been delivered to its main operating base at RAF Waddington.

The aircraft — ZZ664 — arrived at Waddington on Nov. 12 after a flight from Majors Field in Greenville, Texas, via Bangor, Maine. The aircraft, which was converted from a 1964-vintage KC-135R tanker, is the first of three RC-135s destined for the RAF under the Airseeker program, filling the capability gap in electronic and signals-intelligence gathering left open by the retirement of the Nimrod R1 in 2011.

The RAF is the first export customer for the Rivet Joint, and the $1 billion program is considered to be one of the most complex Foreign Military Sales purchases ever completed between the U.K. and the U.S.

ZZ664 was rolled out of L-3’s facilities in Greenville in early May and made its first post-conversion flight at the end of July. According to RAF officials, the aircraft achieved its flight trials ahead of schedule, allowing it to be delivered early.

The RAF is due to declare an initial operating capability with a single RC-135 in October 2014; new aircraft will then be delivered every two years, with full operating capability expected in mid-2017, six months earlier than initially planned.

Like U.S. Air Force Rivet Joints, the British aircraft will undergo updates every few years to receive the latest baseline of equipment. The first aircraft has been delivered with the baseline 10.2 system, the same standard as recently updated Air Force aircraft. New baselines for the Rivet Joint are developed every two years. Aircraft enter an 18-month maintenance program every four years in which they receive the latest upgrade, allowing the aircraft to emerge two baselines higher than when they enter maintenance. At any one time, the combined U.S. and U.K. fleet contains aircraft of at least two different baseline standards and sometimes three. The second and third aircraft will feature baselines 11 and 12, respectively.

With a hand in the program, the British also should get a say in the development of future upgrades and baselines.

Once in operational service, the aircraft will be operated by the RAF’s No. 51 Sqn., which operated the Nimrod R1, an aircraft that for many years the RAF refused to disclose as being in operation because of the type’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. In preparation for the Rivet Joint’s arrival, 51 Sqn. crews flew missions with the Air Force’s 55th Reconnaissance Wing to gain experience on the type. U.K. crews already have achieved in excess of 32,000 flying hours and 1,800 sorties with the 55th Wing.

U.K. Takes Delivery Of First RC-135 Rivet Joint | Defense content from Aviation Week

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

 

[Imran Khan]

look so ugly like shekh haseena