A British RC-135 surveillance aircraft completed a marathon reconnaissance flight at the weekend.
The aircraft took off from the UK before patrolling over the Baltic states and following the Russian border South to the Ukrainian border before landing in Crete on the Mediterranean Sea.
A British RC-135 aircraft completed a marathon reconnaissance flight at the weekend. The aircraft took off from the UK before patrolling over the Baltic states and following the Russian border South to the Ukrainian border before landing in Crete on the Mediterranean Sea. pic.twitter.com/hsVfxYrPAE
— George Allison (@geoallison) January 30, 2023
This isn’t a new occurrence. In fact, it is quite routine. The UK has 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 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.
From Tallinn to Crete. Sound like an album name. Interestingly didn’t go into Moldova I guess any comms by the Russians there will be picked up. For the parts that it skirting Ukraine will it be able to pick up anything from that distance?
What would we replace these with once they are gone? Some P-8 derivative?
I understand these are “shared” with the USAF, sort of joint fleet. So any future aircraft would depend on what the USAF decides. Nice being an American poodle eh?
In a way you’re not wrong, John. But the alternative might well be even worse, as if you take us out of 5 eyes we lose. A lot.
There are areas where UKUSA are glove in hand, and this is one of them. Going it alone is not really an option as the systems associated with these aircraft link to countless other areas that all share commonality, same with AUS and CAN.
My gripes with them Daniele are mostly over NI. From Noraid to none extradition, to the present interference in our domestic affairs. I understand the wider implications. Without Menwith Hill and GCHQ they would be stuffed. It is always a one-sided relationship. Any real friend would have a free trade agreement in place by now, but no, the poodle waits for the scraps as usual.
John, as before, you’re not wrong. I cannot really disagree with any of that on the political side.
On the intelligence side, and the benefits it gives us, despite our junior status, well, it is what it is I would never want to lose it.
Feather in our cap that GCHQ is so effective and so pioneering, despite being dwarfed by big brother ( NSA ) 👍GB
You’re not wrong Daniele, the GCHQ site while confusing is nothing compared to the NSA installations or even the DIA. Their sites are so confusing, you could be standing outside one waiting at the bus stop later today on the way home from work.
Made me smile, their agencies actually spy on each other as well as citizens. The revelations about our own “government” now coming to light show it is not only external enemies we need to worry about lol.
You’re probably aware, but the GCHQ spy on American targets ( supposedly via CANX,7170 Riverwood Drive ) and provide the data to the US, and the NSA return the compliment to us, via Menwith and elsewhere. That way in Parliament or congress they can get up and honestly say “we do not spy on our own citizens” as via UKUSA we help the other out. And for the record, I have no issue with that or with the agencies carrying out surveillance on the public if it helps in the security of the nation. I for one support it and… Read more »
I was mainly alluding to 77 and its recent activities….after all questioning the Covid narrative was almost as dangerous as an ISIL cell in Twickenham 🤗
You think 77 Bde operates against the UK population? 😀
“you could be standing outside one waiting at the bus stop later today on the way home from work.”
I know, I look for that stuff as a hobby. Sad eh.
And I couldn’t possibly comment.
Ha. Me neither.
Which is why I don’t name anywhere that is not already public knowledge while chatting on this forum.
Though the subject matter itself, It’s great to discuss, naturally not many mates are into this subject!
One reason of many why I love this site.
I’m not convinced the uk actually wants a full free trade agreement with the USA. It does want bits that suit it but not other parts that don’t suit.
It’s actually nice to see a politician sticking to what was said. No special treatment. I’m surprised as normally politicians do more uturns than a driving instructor.
The USA sees things outside its country strategically. For them peace in ireland was achieved with their help and anything that seeks to change that is a bad thing.
Not saying they are right or wrong,
Sadly their beaks stuck in all over the planet creates more problems than it solves.
From my experience if you are able to give the Americans something they do not have you get way more back in return.
We give and give imo. And get interference in our domestic affairs in return. Never forget inside every Biden is a Provo struggling to get out 😅
While the flights are routine, recently we have seen quite a rise in those flights together with other Assets. Turkey was also seen with their E-7, together with the daily NATO AWACS flights, Swedish Gulfstream, Italian Reconnaissance, and several Tankers.
Usual Callsigns: Jake 11 for the US Rivet joint, Redeye 6 for E-8 JSTARS, NatoXX for the Awacs (however, recently also French and US AWACS were spotted), Forte for UAV. And on top of that the UK Rivet Joint.
I wonder whether the number of flight ours is becoming a factor since the fleet is relatively small.
I am more concerned about the number of flight hours our C17s are racking up, given that there is no possibility of a replacement at the moment.
How many flight hours can they do before they are knackered? How many have they done? The uk may have to be the first to put them through a full costly rebuild.
They are so essential to operations.
The European defence agency has started 2 permanent structured cooperation PESCO projects for future airlifter requirements. 1 is for a tactical C130,C27,C295 size and the other is for outsized loads.
I don’t know what this will lead to.
https://www.defense-aerospace.com/european-defence-agency-to-support-2-future-european-airlift-projects/
Plenty of air freight companies around. Why doesn’t HMG contract a few freight 747s to deliver the goods to Ukraine?
These aircraft are worth their weight in gold. Need to be flying that route every day to keep tabs on the Ruskie orcs.
Hopefully escorted all the way by Typhoon and a Voyager in supporter.
These might be taking over! “The United Kingdom is to operate its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B Protector medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) through to “the mid-2030s”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) disclosed on 26 January. The previously undisclosed date was given in a contract notification related to the entry into service of the Protector, which is scheduled to start operations at Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington in 2024. “The MQ-9B Protector programme aims to deliver a future UK capability for deep and persistent armed [intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance] ISTAR [collection] out to the… Read more »
Hi Nigel.
Protectors ISTAR role will be quite a bit different from the ELINT/SIGINT capabilities of the Rivets.
The existing REAPERS do have a little known SIGINT Capability, part of the AIRHANDLER mission of GCHQ. Again vastly different from what the Rivets can accomplish.
Thanks, Daniele, not my area of expertise at all, but I assumed they would be far more powerful.
Every little bit helps to fill in the picture I guess!
Why do OUR RC135’s still have the USAF paint scheme, or is it so when we have to return them the USAF doesn’t have to repaint them, Can Airbus provide a more modern airframe with equal if not better electronics say from Sweden and Israel?