A British RC-135 ‘Rivet Joint’, an electronic surveillance aircraft, has conducted a patrol over the Baltic Sea.
On these flights, the aircraft often patrols near the Russian border with NATO members and around the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
A British RC-135 'Rivet Joint', a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft, has completed another surveillance mission. The aircraft patrolled over the Baltic Sea near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. pic.twitter.com/peknAnmGZQ
— George Allison (@geoallison) March 16, 2023
This isn’t a new occurrence, in fact it is quite routine. The UK has long been gathering intelligence about Russian forces since long before the invasion of Ukraine and it should be noted that these flights are designed to be visible so that the public and Russia know they’re happening. If it was a secret, I would not know. Also, for those remarking ‘this isn’t new’, that’s right but people only know this happens often because it is reported often.
British surveillance aircraft being over the area isn’t unusual but we are seeing a significant increase in the frequency of the flights over the last few months for obvious reasons. American assets are also present.
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.
It may be a routine mission, however, some crew will be getting twitchy as much as the Russians are getting antsy.
It could all go sideways in a heart beat.
Given our HUGE, EXTENSIVE number of RIVETS, I do hope some tiffies are in close proximity.
Hopefully loaded for bear, both literally and figuratively. 😉
After recent Russian air force behaviour towards drone near Crimea. I hope these aircraft are vigorously protected.
Wouldn’t want any miscalculations from Mad Vlad’s piss poor armed forces.
They’re only good at attacking without announcement or taking out unmanned (still managed to damage their own even then it seems), Mr Bell. Yes, the ISR fleet is vulnerable to the first of those options with potential dire consequences for the crew. But the entire Russian airforce better be prepared to run a long way away afterwards, and I’m not even sure Russian itself will prove big enough for that. Besides, one or two of their military assets may find themselves mysteriously disappeared. The West can play that game as well, with more competence I’ll warrant.
Rgs
I see footage of the collision with MQ 9 has been released and available on the Warzone drive site, SU27 pilot was clearly to blame.
Now looks like Russia has located the wreckage and has said they will attempt to recover it.
I would expect more RC 135 patrols over the black sea to pass on the location of Russian Navy salvage ships to Ukraine.
Gather it’s possible for the MQ9 to defend itself it warranted, but an easier option may be for a simple self-destruct capability if kinetically attacked, especially over the sea. Be such a shame if the pilot(ck) was still within range, mind.
I believe that the MQ-9 can carry sidewinder but in a situation like this, not sure how much use it would realistically be.
Yes, with you on that. Rgs
Sky news very quick to suggest it was an accident but not to me it doesn’t any thoughts ?
Accident is a one off event, if you need to keep going around and around for 30mins. and you missed with your Ammo. only a retarded Russian Pilot wouldnt understand that the Reaper has a Camera. and would make you look like a total tard for downing a Aircraft. but then Russia likes to shot down passenger planes. Maybe that Mad Austrian should of gassed the Russians 1st
Bit extreme that bit about gassing the Russians. Russia is poorly led and it’s populace minus a few thousand now locked up don’t seem to be able to get rid of Mad Vlad and his henchmen. The result is likely a hundred thousand dead Russians and counting. My point is that the average Russian doesn’t deserve to die, just like neither does the average Ukranian. Tragic situation. Russia knows however they are 1 miss calculation away from bringing NATO militarily down on their heads. The forced downing of the Reaper drone was a stupid gesture. The Americans will likely now… Read more »
Russia shooting down a NATO (British) Rivet would be an act of war and a major escalation. I too would like to see our ISTAR assets minded by a couple of Typhoons each – but I doubt that the RAF could spare them.
We need to rapidly re-start fast jet training after the Hawks were grounded. Lets hope the RAF gets a chunk of the reported £15.5billion uplift in the defence budget to sort the engine issue out
This is where ramming another airframe plays into Russia plausible deniability, they can say the pilot screwed up or their aircraft developed a fault up, we’ll discipline him or the ground crew. Would be very difficult for the West to retaliate based on such claims. We know Russia likes to operate in these grey areas. They may even be willing to loose an airframe to take out a high end Western surveillance asset in a chess like play.
RAF Rivets WERE escorted by one or two Typhoons, until recently, when they appeared to stop. Perhaps they will restart and show the Russians how a competent and professional air force works.
RAF Typhoons have been sent up to guard Rivet Joints just recently. After a Russian fighter’s missile was “accidentally” launched off a rail in close proximity to a River Joint. Which is total BS by the way. Much like Western fighters, there are a sequence of safety interlocks that have to be made, before the missile can be fired. However, some aircraft do have a jettison capability. This is where the missile’s rocket motor is ignited, but the rest of the missile remains inert. So basically becomes a very expensive unguided ballistic rocket. To be honest jettisoning a missile serves… Read more »