Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category.
01 / Overview
RC-135U Combat Sent
Category
Country
Production
1964–
Quantity
32
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Base AirframeBoeing C-135 Stratolifter
- Mission TypeStrategic reconnaissance and SIGINT collection
- Service Entry Year1961
- Flight Crew21
- Mission Crew21
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
- Engine TypeCFM International CFM56 (F108)
- Number of Engines4
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Cruise Speed850 km/h
- Service Ceiling12,500 m
- Range6,500 km
- Endurance12
- On-Station Time12
◇Mission Systems10MOD.10
- Primary Sensor / RadarSIGINT suite
- Detection Range300 km
- AESA RadarNo
- Rotodome / AEW AntennaNo
- Operator Consoles21
- SIGINT / ELINT SuiteYes
- Magnetic Anomaly DetectorNo
- Sonobuoy CapabilityNo
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Self-Protection SuiteYes
◆Armament (ASW/Strike)3MOD.3
- TorpedoesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Weapons Payload0 kg
▤Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length41.1 m
- Wingspan39.9 m
- Max Takeoff Weight146,000 kg
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built32
- Operators2
▲Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1961
- Operational StatusActive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1964Production started
- 2010Sale: United Kingdom (3 units) · $650 M
62
years in service
32
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
RC-135U COMBAT SENT · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
RC-135U Combat Sent 06 / Operators
Operator Countries2country
RC-135U Combat SentSALES1records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 |  United Kingdom | 3 | $650.0 M | $959.7 M |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
07 / MASS Score
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT RANKING Intelligence / Recon Aircraft · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
5INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT4COLD WAR · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT113UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS41PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theIntelligence / Recon Aircraftcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources