Two Royal Air Force aircraft have carried out extensive surveillance flights along NATO’s eastern frontier, covering the entire stretch from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea, the UK Defence Journal understands.
According to flight tracking data, a P-8A Poseidon from RAF Lossiemouth and an RC-135W Rivet Joint from RAF Waddington undertook complementary missions forming a continuous north-south intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance corridor along the alliance’s eastern edge.
The P-8A Poseidon flew north from Scotland, crossing the North Sea before turning east over the Barents and Baltic regions and continuing south along the borders of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, close to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. At the same time, the RC-135W Rivet Joint departed from Lincolnshire and transited through central Europe before orbiting over Romania and the western Black Sea near Crimea’s maritime boundary.
The aircraft’s sensors are configured for signals intelligence missions, monitoring Russian radar, communications and air-defence activity across Crimea and the western Russian military districts.
Together, the two flights covered nearly the entire northern-to-southern arc of NATO’s eastern flank, leaving only a narrow section over Slovakia and Hungary where airspace restrictions limit such patrols. The result is a near-continuous NATO surveillance picture linking the Arctic and Baltic regions with the Black Sea.
Although such missions are routine, the duration and combined reach of this operation is notable. These surveillance flights are intentionally visible, providing reassurance to NATO members while demonstrating the alliance’s ongoing vigilance.
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.
Interesting, the P8. As I naturally associate it with MP and ASW only.
What sensor does it have for overland surveillance??? I thought it lacked a Sentinel type capability, though this was talked of as an option when we bought the type.
The Rear Gunner has the latest iPhone 678,000,000 it has a wicked camera.
I might not be right though.
Well, i looked it up rather than being lazy and relying on posts.
I didn’t realise it’s radar has an overland mode.
AN APY 10 radar, and an EO turret as well.
Good force multiplier then, can we have some more?
Well, I thought these iphones were good but not that good !
More widely, Slovakia and Hungary are a problem.
There must still be plenty of people in those countries who remember 1968 and 1956 respectively.
True but it should be noted that Hungarian fighters are flying quick response operations in the Baltics presently, I think they do at heart understand the risk just got a leader who loves to play the nationalist Hungary first card. Think he has been overplaying it and the people at least on the defence front rather than self serving economic aspects which got him elected, are noticing so being less overtly anti NATO in that area. Both Countries have notably agreed to the 3.5/5% ambition, needing Trumps support esp considering his mullering of those buying Russian oil ironically may have something to do with it. As with Turkey playing both sides only goes so far.
I don’t think that this is correct. The RJ flew up the Norwegian coast and then followed the Russian / Belarus border to the Black Sea. It received AAR from a USAF KC135 enroute. Nothing classified on this post as it was on ADS-B. The P8 route was correct and the P8 has a very impressive sensor suite that can be used in almost any environment.
Bill is correct! The Rivet Joint flew a very long route. I took some screenshots on FR24.
Right now, a NATO E3-B Sentry is on station above Eastern Poland, call sign NATO05. Earlier, I also briefly noticed an American P-8 above the Black Sea, just before it went dark. Quite a bit of intelligence gathering going on on a Friday afternoon.
Hello Eric, this happens virtually 24/7, many different aircraft both manned and unmanned. Lot’s of different NATO Countries are doing their bit.
Thank you, halfwit. I’m aware of that, but it is the intensity that stands out to me. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is part of NATO’s response to Russia’s recent reckless and irresponsible behaviour.