#usa#boeing#rc135#airforce#defense The Boeing RC-135 is a family of large reconnaissance aircraft built by Boeing and modified by a number of companies, including General Dynamics, Lockheed, LTV, E-Systems, and L3 Technologies, and used by the United States Air Force and Royal Air Force to support theater and national level intelligence consumers with near real-time on-scene collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. Based on the C-135 Stratolifter airframe, various types of RC-135s have been in service since 1961. Unlike the C-135 and KC-135 which are recognized by Boeing as the Model 717,[3] most of the current RC-135 fleet (with the exception of the RAF's RC-135Ws) is internally designated as the Model 739 by the company. Many variants have been modified numerous times, resulting in a large variety of designations, configurations, and program names. General characteristics Crew: 2 pilots, 1 navigator (flight crew) Capacity: 21–27 depending on mission requirements, minimum consisting of 3 Electronic Warfare Officers (Ravens), 14 Intelligence Operators and 4 Airborne Systems Engineers (mission crew) Length: 136 ft 3 in (41.53 m) Wingspan: 130 ft 10 in (39.88 m) Height: 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m) Wing area: 2,433 sq ft (226.0 m2) Airfoil: root: BAC 310/311/312 ; tip: BAC 313[47] Empty weight: 124,000 lb (56,245 kg) Gross weight: 297,000 lb (134,717 kg) Max takeoff weight: 322,500 lb (146,284 kg) Performance Maximum speed: 504 kn (580 mph, 933 km/h) Range: 2,998 nmi (3,450 mi, 5,552 km) Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m) Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (25 m/s) Source - Wikipedia #instagram# For more defence updates worldwide.. Follow us @unitedbyhonour Pride for your country and bless our efforts by Like and Share Team - #unitedbyhonour https://www.instagram.com/p/B4HvNR-pTA_/?igshid=1ve6o7o4i1g6e
