Boeing RC-135

The Boeing RC-135 is a family of large reconnaissance aircraft built by Boeing and modified by a number of companies, among them General Dynamics, Lockheed, LTV, E-Systems and L3Harris, and used by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force to produce theatre and national level intelligence with near real-time collection, analysis and dissemination. It is based on the C-135 Stratolifter airframe, and various types have been in service since 1961. Unlike the KC-135, which Boeing recognises as the Model 717, most of the current RC-135 fleet is internally designated Model 739. The first variant ordered, the RC-135A in 1962, replaced the RB-50 Superfortress and used the KC-135A's Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets with cameras in the former forward fuel tank bay; the RC-135B and C followed as electronic intelligence aircraft with TF33 turbofans. Many variants have been modified repeatedly, producing a large range of designations and configurations.