The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is a U.S. signals-intelligence reconnaissance aircraft derived from the C-135 family. The Air Force describes it as a heavily modified platform for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence, and its small active fleet has also supported U.S. operations in the Arabian Gulf.
U.S. forces used Rivet Joint aircraft for signals-intelligence reconnaissance during Operation Epic Fury, with flight tracking and defense reporting placing them over the Arabian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Rivet Joint is a small but heavily tasked fleet. Open-source fact sheets describe it as a C-135 derivative built for near real-time intelligence work rather than kinetic attack.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lineage | C-135 family derivative |
| Fleet size | 17 active U.S. aircraft |
| Public unit cost | Not publicly available |
| Primary mission | Signals-intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination |
Source: RC-135V/W Rivet Joint fact sheet.
The Air Force fact sheet traces the current Rivet Joint modification line back to 1962.
Sources: RC-135V/W Rivet Joint fact sheet
The same fact sheet says the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reached initial operating capability in January 1964.
Sources: RC-135V/W Rivet Joint fact sheet
