RAF receives first Rivet Joint aircraft
The first of three Rivet Joint SIGINT aircraft has been delivered to RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, ahead of its entry into service next year.
The UK’s new Boeing RC-135V/W system is part of a joint effort with the USAF that will see a total of 20 aircraft developed for future joint operations. The RAF’s 51 Squadron in Lincolnshire will operate the three UK aircraft under its Airseeker programme.
The first airframe was delivered early, although IOC is still slated to follow the original schedule. Once all three aircraft have been delivered, FOC is expected to be achieved by 2017-18.
Although the
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