UK's airborne eye: RC‑135W circles strategic Kaliningrad
On Tuesday, 14 January, a British-owned Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint circled the Kaliningrad Oblast, and its route could be tracked via the Flightradar24 service. Reconnaissance aircraft of this type, or flying radars, are frequently observed in Polish airspace, where they gather data, including information on activities in Ukraine.
In the afternoon, the reconnaissance aircraft RC-135W Rivet Joint, owned by the British military, was circling the Kaliningrad Oblast while moving through the airspace of NATO member states. Thanks to the Flightradar24 service, it was tracked flying over Poland, Lithuania, and over the Baltic Sea.
The Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint is a sophisticated reconnaissance aircraft that has played a crucial role in NATO countries' intelligence operations for decades. This aircraft, based on the design of the classic Boeing C-135 Stratolifter, is built for gathering intelligence information from the air, including photographic and electronic reconnaissance.
The RC-135W is outfitted with advanced listening systems that intercept radio communications, radar signals, and other electromagnetic emissions. This capability enables it to monitor and analyse the opponent's activity over a vast area, supporting both operational and strategic actions. On board, there is also a real-time data analysis system that allows a team of specialists, up to 30 in number, to interpret the gathered information immediately.
The RC-135W is capable of performing long-duration flights at high altitudes. Powered by four CFM International F108-CF-201 jet engines, it can reach a cruising speed of approximately 460 knots, and its range exceeds 2,700 nautical miles. This capability allows it to conduct missions lasting several hours. Additionally, with in-flight refuelling systems, its operational range is virtually unlimited.
British "Airseeker"
The United Kingdom operates three RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft, known as Airseeker. London acquired them through an agreement with the USA, upgrading previously used KC-135R aircraft to the RC-135W standard. These planes have been adapted to meet British requirements as part of the close cooperation with U.S. military aviation.
The first Airseeker was delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2014, and all three play a pivotal role in NATO’s intelligence operations, particularly in monitoring Russian activities in Eastern Europe and the Arctic region.
