First flight for RAF Waddington’s new Rivet Joint spy plane

The Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft based at RAF Waddington has been flown in UK airspace for the first time.

The UK Rivet Joint RC-135W signals intelligence aircraft at RAF Waddington is the first of three that the MOD have bought from the US as part of the Airseeker programme.

The aircraft will replace the retired Nimrod fleet, and will provide the UK with a world class real-time signals intelligence and surveillance capability for forces in the air and on the ground.

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