R135
BOEING RC-135
BOEING RC-135
Aircraft
Name
RC-135
Manufacturer
Body
Narrow
Wing
Fixed Wing
Position
Low wing
Tail
Regular tail, mid set
WTC
H
APC
D
Type Code
L4J
Engine
Jet
Engine Count
Multi
Position
Underwing mounted
Landing gear
Tricycle retractable
Manufactured as
BOEING RC-135
R135
Special missions aircraft. Special missions adaptions based on the C-135 airframe. Originally developed as EC-135 command post for the B-52 nuclear bomber fleet. RC-135U, RC-135V Rivet Joint and RC-135W signals intelligence variants with automatic ELINT emitter locator system. RC-135V and RC-135W with nose featuring further sensor. TC-135W crew trainig version. RC-135S Cobra Ball for balistic missile launch detection. The US Air Force is re-engining its RC-135s with CFM engines.
Technical Data
Wing span (metric)
39.90 m
Length (metric)
41.50 m
Height (metric)
12.70 m
Powerplant
4 x 80.1 kN P&W TF33-P9 or 4 x 106.8 kN CFM 56-2A2/3 turbofans.
Engine Model(s)
CFM International CFM56
Pratt & Whitney TF33
Indicative Performance Data
Take-Off
V2
n/a
Distance
n/a
MTOW
136000 kg
Initial Climb (to 5000 ft)
IAS
n/a
ROC
3000 ft/min
Initial Climb (to FL150)
IAS
n/a
ROC
n/a
Initial Climb (to FL240)
IAS
n/a
ROC
n/a
MACH Climb
MACH
n/a
ROC
n/a
Cruise
TAS
486 kts
MACH
n/a
Ceiling
410
Range
4900 NM
Initial Descent (to FL240)
MACH
n/a
ROD
n/a
Descent (to FL100)
IAS
n/a
ROD
n/a
Descent (FL100 & below)
IAS
n/a
MCS
n/a
ROD
n/a
Approach
Vapp (IAS)
n/a
Distance
n/a
