British spy plane monitors Kaliningrad from NATO skies
On Tuesday, January 14, a British-owned Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint was observed circling the Kaliningrad Oblast, and its route could be tracked via the Flightradar24 service. These reconnaissance aircraft, known as flying radars, are frequently seen in Polish airspace, where they collect data on various activities, including those in Ukraine.
In the afternoon, the reconnaissance aircraft RC-135W Rivet Joint from the British military was flying around the Kaliningrad Oblast, traversing the airspace of NATO member states. With the help of the Flightradar24 service, it was tracked flying over Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic Sea.
RC-135W Rivet Joint - the flying radar
The Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint is an advanced reconnaissance aircraft that has played a key role in intelligence operations for NATO countries for decades. This aircraft, based on the classic Boeing C-135 Stratolifter design, is tasked with gathering intelligence information from the air, including photographic and electronic reconnaissance.
The RC-135W is equipped with state-of-the-art listening systems that intercept radio communications, radar signals, and other electromagnetic emissions. This capability allows it to monitor and analyze adversary activity over large areas, supporting both operational and strategic missions. Onboard, a real-time data analysis system enables a team of up to 30 specialists to promptly interpret the collected information.
The RC-135W can undertake long-duration flights at high altitudes. Powered by four CFM International F108-CF-201 jet engines, it reaches a cruising speed of approximately 530 mph, and its range exceeds 3,100 miles. This capability allows it to conduct missions that last several hours. Additionally, its operational range is nearly unlimited thanks to in-flight refueling systems.
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 customized to meet British requirements as part of 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 crucial role in NATO's intelligence operations, particularly in monitoring Russian activities in Eastern Europe and the Arctic region.
