The first of three Royal Air Force Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft has completed its upgrade program in the US and is preparing for a return to operations.
The aircraft, ZZ664, underwent a series of modifications, including receiving a new ‘glass’ flight deck, making flying operations easier and safer for pilots by way of improved situational awareness. The new glass cockpit features digital flight instrument displays and large LCD screens, rather than traditional dials and gauges.
Defence Equipment and Support, the UK MOD’s procurement arm, managed the program of modifications and secured UK certification of the new flight deck.
According to the defense ministry, aircraft ZZ664 has undertaken the first of a series of flight deck training sorties from RAF Waddington with the aim of shortly resuming exercises and operations covering a wide range of areas of interest for the UK.
Rivet Joint program
Rivet Joint is a UK/US cooperative program, with both nations collaborating on training, maintenance, and test and evaluation, as well as the exchanging of intelligence, expertise and best practice. The aircraft is an extensively modified C-135, with the modifications primarily focusing on its on-board sensor suite, to allow the mission crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum.
The Rivet Joint global fleet includes 20 aircraft, three of which belong to the Royal Air Force. ZZ664 is the first aircraft from the combined UK/US fleet to undergo these major enhancements.
“RJ-18’s (ZZ664) clearance for operations marks a huge milestone for the delivery team. As a culmination of four years’ work, the certification of this first-of-type flight deck is a brilliant achievement for a pivotal UK/US collaborative program,” Air Cdre Mark Hunt, DE&S Air ISTAR Team Leader, said.
UK Rivet Joint crews were also the first to receive a new training package, including a new simulator for the upgraded aircraft at RAF Waddington. This is currently the only Rivet Joint simulator modified to the new glass cockpit.
The RAF’s other two Rivet Joint jets will undergo the same program of upgrades in due course.
