Cobra ball vs rivet joint mod#

Joint Airborne SIGINT Architecture (JASA) is made up of two main components: At present, the aircraft does not have coverage of all appropriate frequency bands. Some are part of the Joint SIGINT Avionics Family (JSAF), which is also used on the United States Navy EP-3 ARIES II SIGINT aircraft. Multiple, complementary systems are aboard the RIVET JOINT, with modifications in equipment and manning for specific missions. In addition, the functions of the RIVET JOINT, COBRA BALL, and RC-135 COMBAT SENT could be complementary during actual fighting, and these three intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft further complement the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and the E-8 Joint STARS ground surveillance radar aircraft. This will allow a RIVET JOINT aircraft to be reconfigured as a COBRA BALL, and vice versa. With recent architectural changes, there is an increased commonality of parts with the RC-135S COBRA BALL aircraft aircraft, which have a more MASINT emphasis, focused on test and operational ballistic missile launch. The COMINT emphasis of the RIVET JOINT contrasts with the electronic intelligence (ELINT) focus of the RC-135U COMBAT SENT. They are flown by the 38th and 343rd Reconnaissance Squadrons, which are part of the 55th Wing, based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. They are operated by United States Strategic Command (USSOCOM), as part of the Joint Force Component for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, a joint operation with the Defense Intelligence Agency. The aircraft are operated out of RAF Waddington by the Royal Air Force’s 51 Squadron as part of the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Force led by the ISTAR Force Commander, Air Commodore Nick Hay.RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT aircraft are extensively modified C-135 transport aircraft, flown by the United States Air Force, which provide near-real-time communications intelligence (COMINT) and probably measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) to theater and national consumers. I am delighted that Airseeker will continue to receive world-class sustainment and follow-on development support right up until the current UK out of service date in 2035.” “Extending Airseeker support reaffirms the continuing cooperation between the UK and US in this important Defence capability area.

Signing the MOU on behalf of the UK, Sir Simon Bollom, CEO of Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) said:

Cobra ball vs rivet joint mod#

Under the new MOU, the MOD have committed to investing £970 million in the programme over the next 14 years.” “To ensure the aircraft continue to receive support until 2035, the existing Memorandum of Understanding with the US was extended following negotiations between the US Department of Defense and the UK MOD.

The aircraft is in the air frequently, undertaking various surveillance missions around Europe and the Middle East.īritish surveillance aircraft patrols Russian border The mission crew can then forward gathered information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via Rivet Joint’s extensive communications suite. The aircraft works by using its sensors to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. With a commitment to invest almost £1 billion, this agreement will ensure that we, and our allies, can benefit from the aircraft’s impressive surveillance capability for years to come.” “The Rivet Joint Cooperative Programme is a fantastic example of the UK/US special relationship and the support for our Airseeker fleet has been extended for a further decade. “Airseeker support is provided by the unique venture between the United States Air Force and the UK MOD – known as the Rivet Joint Cooperative Programme – which was due to expire in 2025 and will now continue until the UK out of service date in 2035.” The Ministry of Defence say that the agreement will continue to benefit from maintenance, spare parts, engineering support, technical data and access to capability updates. The UK’s three RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft will benefit from an extension to the support arrangement with the US Government until 2035 in a deal worth £970 million.