Boeing RC-135V/W Rivet Joint

The RC-135V/W is the USAF's standard airborne SIGINT platform. Its sensor suite allows the mission crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. The mission crew can then forward gathered information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via Rivet Joint's extensive communications suite. The interior seats 34 people, including the cockpit crew, electronic warfare officers, intelligence operators and airborne systems engineers. All Rivet Joint airframe and mission systems modifications are performed by L-3 Communications in Greenville, Texas, under the oversight of the Air Force Materiel Command.

All RC-135s are assigned to Air Combat Command. The RC-135 is permanently based at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and operated by the 55th Wing, using various forward deployment locations worldwide.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Boeing
• RC-135V/W
• airborne
• SIGINT
• Rivet
• Joint
• 55th
• Wing
• Offutt
• Air
• Force
• Base
• USAF

[batfly]

@jordyboy321

Yeah it sounds something like a stoned frog?

[badinfluence262]

@Snovishvishbvat Nope. Didn't get rolled. Just got to offutt in October. I'm finishing up some more specific training and should be flying very soon.

[canals22]

@bbwbb2 holly crap man, I was in Eielson 88-91 !

[Snovishvishbvat]

@badinfluence262 That was two years ago...surely you're done with your training (unless you were rolled in Monterey)

[Snovishvishbvat]

@canals22 RJ's where it's at ;)

[MoparDodge1]

@MARK8088 Oh ok, makes sense anyways.

[MARK8088]

@MoparDodge1 The name RIVET JOINT has no particular meaning. It's just a name assigned to the "package" installed on the aorcraft.

[MoparDodge1]

@jordyboy321 I think they called it Rivet Joint because of the mission platforms that were combined into the air frame. Rivet this, Rivet that, I suppose you could say they joined them together. So they called it Rivet Joint. Not only that but they also gave them names very unrelated to the mission they carried out. But yes, they are great looking planes.

[gnark1ll1us]

@gravityxgrace The crew were so friendly, especially for intelligence staff!

[gravityxgrace]

@whitewingsrich Yep there was one at RIAT on the ground. Absolutely beautiful too.

One did a couple of fly overs at Culdrose airday a few years ago