The Royal Air Force’s ability to conduct signals intelligence missions will receive a boost in September, when its second RC-135W Rivet Joint/Airseeker aircraft will be delivered.
“The first Airseeker is currently employed on operations, alongside a variety of other RAF units, in the fight against ISIL in the skies over Iraq and Syria,” the Ministry of Defence says. The Boeing 707-based surveillance asset provides “support to combat identification and targeting operations”, it adds.
The second aircraft will arrive with 51 Sqn – based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire – seven months earlier than previously scheduled, the MoD confirms. “The new aircraft is expected to be deployable in a matter of weeks after delivery,” it adds.
The UK’s Operation Shader activity against Islamic State militants also currently involves Raytheon Systems Sentinel R1 ground surveillance aircraft, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Reaper remotely piloted air systems and Panavia Tornado GR4s carrying UTC Aerospace Systems Raptor reconnaissance pods.
The first of three UK RC-135Ws entered operational use last year, with the total procurement valued at £650 million ($1 billion).
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Source: FlightGlobal.com
