A British RC-135 Rivet Joint ‘signals intelligence’ surveillance aircraft is patrolling close to the Russian border near Ukraine.
The aircraft is currently off the coast of Crimea after flying over Europe from its base at RAF Waddington. The aircraft was refuelled after take-off by an American tanker as the UK has no tankers capable of refuelling this type.
Over the last month this has become an almost daily event, we believe it should be reported as and when it happens to ensure people don’t see this as anything unusual.
Another day, another British RC-135 Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft off to Crimea. pic.twitter.com/xx0O5VTQPl
— George Allison (@geoallison) February 3, 2022
It should also be noted that these flights are designed to be visible so that the public and Russia know they’re happening.
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.
What is also needed is a Sentinel flying up down the borders. Using its ground mapping radar to build a pattern of life of what is going on around Ukraine’s borders. This along with the ELINT and satellite photos will be able to show a true picture of what’s going on and whether this is just a bluff or not!
I think we can be certain that US/NATO Intel are very well aware of exactly what is happening in Russia and Belarus over the border in Russia.
Please tell me another US/NATO asset that has the same capabilities as the Sentinel?
It’s probably cheaper just to pay off a few Russian Staff officers to give you up to date info on movements….
Yes they do and probably better. No matter how good Sentianl was it need upgrade on its sensor suite. Global Hawk is watching currently.
Basically we do not know as that information is as classified as it can be.
US has the JSTARS, Global Hawk with the RIP installed which is the best air to ground radar on any aircraft. Also optical/radar sats will be making multiple passes every day over the Russian forces.
I will have to disagree with you there. The JSTARs uses an X-band AN/APY-7 PESA manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The Sentinel used the Sentinel dual mode radar sensor (DMRS) which again is an X-band radar. But this is an AESA radar that was developed by Raytheon from the U2’s ASAR-2 radar. It was a step change in capability over the JSTAR’s radar and that used in the U2. Another development of the ASAR-2 is used in the Global Hawk. But uses a much smaller array, therefore its range is significantly less that the Sentinels. What is surprising about the Sentinel,… Read more »
Impossible to say since the true capability of the sentinel and current ISR aircraft are highly classified and likely to remain that way for decades. What is likely though imo is that one of those P8s we see on almost daily flights in the area will be carrying the AN/APS-154 which the USN seems unwilling to discuss in any regard other than vague references.
JSTAR and Satellites.
I concur.
Unfortunately we disposed of Sentinel, we no longer required it……….
The UK’s reluctance to spend money on key assets……we failed to update the systems then used that as a reason to scrap it! Same applies to E3D.
The UK should not take part in this Russia-baiting.If the neo-cons and their sponsors want a piece of the action then they need to send many more troops to Ukraine. Russia’s decision to go in will not be affected by 8500 US troops on the battle-ground.
The fleet needed money spending on it which the UK government elected to spend in other areas. The harsh reality of trying to have an affordable equipment plan.
Does anyone know if it is possible to put the Sentinel capability into an existing platform? Like the E7, P8 or Rivet Joint?
P8, maybe Protector?
I’d prefer mission dedicated AC myself rather than diverting P8s.
Hi Daniele, been reading your posts for years, have enjoyed your informative contribution; as you may be able to tell, I haven’t contributed until recently. Myself I thought the E7 may have been an option since it is currently in production and the numbers would be easier to extend from the current 3 back to 5 to give you the domestic and overseas reach.
Hi, GMD.
Thanks.
Some of the US P8s carry the highly advanced AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor which is much more capable that what the Sentinel had or ever the JSTARS. I’m sure America would be willing to sell a few to the Brits but doubt they would be willing to spend the money on them.
Thank you dan, that seems a sensible solution to get that capability back. With the way of the world at the moment, if there was ever a time for the MOD to pitch for further funds it would be now. I have also thought that the UK could sell some of the R1 shadows to Ukraine to improve their intelligence gathering capability.
Yes, as Dan says. I could not recall the name of the SLAR, only that P8 can take them.
Raytheon’s Sentinel brochure makes a very intresting read.
https://www.raytheon.com/sites/default/files/2020-03/Sentinel_Book.pdf
Page 19/Chapter 8 talks about potential upgrades to the Sentinel i.e. EO/IR (allows Sentinel’s imagery to meet ROE), Long-Range Oblique Photography (DB-110), SATCOM, ELINT, COMINT, maritime capability and more.
This story is repeated every second day “so that the public and Russia know they’re happening”.
I would wager the Russians are already well aware of it because they have this thing called radar. So the real audience is less the Russians than it is the British public- at least that portion of the British public that cares.
It would be so much more productive if the Government concentrated on developing a sound defence policy and less on public relations “signalling”.
The SIGINT and electro emission picture is absolutely vital to NATO. Yes satellite pictures are useful but they don’t establish ORBAT, echelon, troop numbers or even if the vehicles / tents seen are real vehicles or inhabited. Remember the Russians love a bit of ‘maskirovka.’ Through detailed analysis of the enemies comms and radar emissions, through processes I need not highlight here, is is often possible to build the battle picture, to understand what units are subordinate to which HQs, to deduct from that their objectives and to even track individual operators connected with certain commanders. UK Rivet Joint ops… Read more »
Could we use RAF Akrotiri for these flights…. reduce the transit times and increase the time on station…?
Thanks Ian
Cyprus could be used but then you would also need to fly out the ground crew and spares for maintaining the things. As we have only 3 I doubt that there is that much spare redundancy for ground support staff.
Cyprus usually has lots of Int aircraft from the US flying in and out anyway. U2/ TR1s are a common sight
You can’t operate an RJ from Akrotiri. Which is why they deploy to Crete.
Isn’t it to do with runway length? I have Waddington’s length at 9,000ft previously but it had been lengthened since I believe as part of the airfield refurb?
Akrotiri I have as 8,999 ft.
Re sentinel. NATO have enough asset with similar or better capabilities in the region it’s a none issue. We don’t play alone
Brilliant, we can operate 3 in different theatres of interest but we rely on the Yanks for in-flight refuelling something amiss there ?
Meanwhile maitre de paix Macron said today’ Putin gave no indication he was going to invade’.
He wouldn’t stupid but I can tell you he will come through the Ardennes. Keep the white flags flying.