Illustrative image. (U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Tyler Woodward)
The United States Air Force has deployed an advanced RC-135V Rivet Joint signal intelligence aircraft to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, amid rising tensions with Iran.
The aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on January 27 and stopped at RAF Mildenhall before arriving at Al Udeid.
The RC-135W is the standard airborne signal intelligence platform for the U.S. Air Force. It was developed by a number of companies, including General Dynamics, Lockheed, LTV, E-Systems and L3 Technologies.
The aircraft’s sensor suite allows the mission crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. The mission crew can then forward gathered information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via Rivet Joint’s extensive communications suite.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Earlier this month, U.S. President Trump threatened military action if Iran killed protesters or carried out mass executions of prisoners, but he backed down soon after, claiming the Islamic Republic halted the hangings of 800 detainees. Still, he ordered the deployment of additional U.S. military assets into the Middle East, including aircraft, air defenses, in addition to an aircraft carrier and several warships.
According to a recent Reuters report, Trump is now weighing options against Iran that include targeted strikes on security forces and leaders to inspire protesters, with the aim of creating conditions for “regime change”.
The deployment of the RC-13V at this time suggests that Trump is moving closer towards ordering an attack, although a decision may still be a few weeks away.
A similar aircraft began operating off the coast of Venezuela just weeks before Trump ordered a special operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from Caracas.
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all americunt have special sensors to attract taliban jizz in our anuz
does it rely on starlink? now that would be funny if the answer is yes and the satellite goes down.
time for iran to make sure the rc-135 needs an extra few million rivets to fly again.
donald trump’s distraction. gpt-5.3 shall save us from this regime.