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The Intel Frog

@TheIntelFrog

Jul 9

#MonkeyWerx seems to think that the RC-135s can only do one mission, interception of wireless communications or Signals Intelligence (SIGINT).

This is a thread on the in service variants of the RC-135.

1/n

All RC-135 variants, 14 of them, are all based on the same C-135 aircraft.

The C-135 is a medium weight reconnaissance aircraft built by Boeing. It's unrefueled range is 3,900 miles, but it is capable of air to air refueling.

This thread focuses on the variants in service.
2/n

First up is the RC-135S variant, the Cobra Ball.
This variant is a measurement and signature collector aircraft equipped with a sophisticated array of optical and electronic sensors, recording media, and communications equipment for tracking ballistic missiles at long range.
3/n

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The Intel Frog

@TheIntelFrog

Mar 24

P-8A Poseidon 🧵
1/
The P-8A Poseidon is a multi mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. It efficiently conducts anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and humanitarian response.

2/
The P-8A is the direct replacement to the P-3 Orion. It is a militarized version of Boeing's 737-800 with 900 series wings. It has a range of 1,200nmi with 4 hours on station. It has a crewed by 9 sailors. It has several work multi function work stations for additional crew.

3/
The flightdeck contains positions for a pilot and co pilot. There is a rest area in the rear of the plane to accommodate additional flight crews for longer duration missions. It is capable of air to air refueling.

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The Intel Frog

@TheIntelFrog

Mar 15

Boeing E-4B Nightwatch in a 🧵

The Boeing E-4B is a militarized version of Boeing's 747. It is designated the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) and is designed to board the National Command Authority (NCA) in the event of a nuclear strike.
1/

First deployed in January 1980, the E-4B is also known as the doomsday plane. It accommodates a crew of up to 112 and has an endurance of 12 hours unrefueled and a range of 6,200 miles. It is capapble of air/air refueling. The aircraft can stay aloft for up to 7 days with AAR
2/

In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities.
3/

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The Intel Frog

@TheIntelFrog

Mar 11

1/ The E-6B Mercury thread
"The E-6B communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft. Provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne command, control, and communications between the National Command Authority and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces."

2/ The E-6B is a modified Boeing 707 aicraft that has two missions: Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) and Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS). It's capable of air to air refueling and has an endurance of 15 hours.

3/ For the TACAMO mission, the E-6 serves as an airborne comms relay between our ballistic missile submarines and the National Command Authority (NCA). To achieve this it has specialized comm equipment including a 5 mile long trailing antenna.

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