In a boost to UK’s intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability, Defence Secretary Michael Fall...
In a boost to UK’s intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has confirmed that the second RC-135 Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft will be delivered to the RAF in September, seven months earlier than scheduled.
The first Rivet Joint delivered in 2013, is currently employed on operations, alongside a variety of other RAF units, in the fight against ISIL in the skies over Iraq and Syria.
The Rivet Joint aircraft has state of the art airborne electronic surveillance capability, allowing it to collect, analyse, and disseminate detailed signals intelligence information. In doing so it offers vital support to combat identification and targeting operations.
Under the Airseeker program, Royal Air Force purchased three RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft, which are based on the vintage KC-135R Stratotanker airframes. L3 Communications at its facility in Greenville, Texas converted the tanker platforms to the RC-135W standards.
The third aircraft delivery was expected in 2017. The Rivet Joint fleet will be based at RAF Waddington, replacing the retired Nimrod R1.
The fleet will form the No. 51 Squadron, along with RAF's other ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) assets, which includes E-3D Sentry, Shadow, Sentinel, Reaper UAV and Typhoon, Tornado GR4 based reconnaissance capabilities.
