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RC-135
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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RC-135

Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft · 1965
ADD TO COMPARE

RC-135

RC-135
RC-135 Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
MASS (Military Archive Scoring System) 84
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Jamming / EW Power
85
Intercept Range
75
Frequency Coverage
95
Geolocation Accuracy
90
Endurance
88
Self-Protection
70
Data-Link
80
Technology
85
Versatility
92
Cost-Effectiveness
78
Methodology ↗ → Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft ranking
ManufacturerBoeing
CategoryElectronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft
EraCold War
In service1965
Operators4 countries
Quantity32
⬇ Overview
⚙ Specs
⊕ History
⊕ Variants
⊕ Operators
⚖ MASS Score
📚 Sources
Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
⊟ Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraftranking ↗methodology ↗
84
Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft MASS Rating
2/2
Cold War
2/6
All-Time
Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft · 10 axes scored
Jamming / EW Power
85
Intercept Range
75
Frequency Coverage
95
Geolocation Accuracy
90
Endurance
88
Self-Protection
70
Data-Link
80
Technology
85
Versatility
92
Cost-Effectiveness
78
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the electronic warfare / sigint aircraft category.
01 / Overview
RC-135
Category
Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft
Prime contractor
Boeing
Production
1965–
Quantity
32
Operators
4 countries
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ELECTRONIC WARFARE / SIGINT AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
MASS SCORE ↗
84
electronic warfare / sigint aircraft category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the electronic warfare / sigint aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎Powerplant2MOD.2
  • Engine TypeCFM International F-108-CF-201
  • Number of Engines4
◈Performance2MOD.2
  • Service Ceiling15,240 m
  • Range5,552.296 km
▣Dimensions2MOD.2
  • Length41.453 m
  • Wingspan0.254 m
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1965Production started
61
years in service
32
units produced
4
countries operating
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
RC-135 1965
// DERIVATIVES
RC-135U Combat Sent 1964
05 / Operators
Operator Countries4country
GreeceACTIVEJapanACTIVEUnited KingdomACTIVEUnited StatesACTIVE
06 / MASS Score
ELECTRONIC WARFARE / SIGINT AIRCRAFT RANKING Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft · Cold War
#1 US Grumman EA-6B Prowler VARIANT 86 #2 RC-135 (this weapon) 84 #3 US Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call 81 #4 US Lockheed EC-130 79
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
2ELECTRONIC WARFARE / SIGINT AIRCRAFT2COLD WAR · ELECTRONIC WARFARE / SIGINT AIRCRAFT1PERFORMANCE/PRICE · ELECTRONIC WARFARE / SIGINT AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theElectronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraftcategory.
Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft Cold War Boeing
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Electronic Warfare / SIGINT Aircraft entry →