A Royal Air Force RC-135 surveillance aircraft was deployed today to monitor Russian forces in occupied Ukraine.
The RC-135W Rivet Joint and its sensors are designed to undertake ‘signals intelligence’ missions. In other words, they ‘soak up’ electronic emissions from communications, radars and other systems.
The RAF said in a release:
“The UK has become the first nation to conduct a full transit of NATO’ eastern border, from its southernmost point in Greece to the most northerly point in Finland. The RAF Rivet Joint completed the flight with support from NATO partners, including the US, Sweden and Finland.
This is a landmark of a moment. While the Rivet Joint conducts routine transits along the borders of individual NATO countries, this is the first complete transit of NATO’s eastern border.”
This isn’t entirely new
Watching the border isn’t new—in fact, it is quite routine, its the duration of the flight that’s new here. The UK has been gathering intelligence about Russian forces since long before the invasion of Ukraine.
It should be noted that these flights are designed to be visible so that the public and Russia know they’re happening. If it were a secret, I would not know. Also, for those remarking, ‘this isn’t new’, that’s right, but people only know this often happens because it is reported often.
What does the RC-135W do?
According to the Royal Air Force website, the RC-135W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that can be employed in all theatres on strategic and tactical missions. Its sensors ‘soak up’ electronic emissions from communications, radar and other systems.
“RC-135W Rivet Joint employs multidiscipline Weapons System Officer (WSO) and Weapons System Operator (WSOp) specialists whose mission is to survey elements of the electromagnetic spectrum in order to derive intelligence for commanders.”
The Royal Air Force say that Rivet Joint has been deployed extensively for Operation Shader and on other operational taskings. It had been formally named Airseeker, but is almost universally known in service as the RC-135W Rivet Joint.
The UK operates three of these aircraft.
And STILL it cannot be refuelled without the assistance of the USAF.
Neither can the P8 or the E7s when they arrive.
The Air Tanker contract is 100% corruption. People should be in jail over it.