A U.S. Air Force Boeing RC-135C <i>Big Team</i> taking off. The ten RC-135Bs were modified and re-designated RC-135C aircraft used for strategic reconnaissance duties, equipped with the AN/ASD-1 electronic intelligence (ELINT) system. This system was characterized by the large "cheek" pods on the forward fuselage containing the Automated ELINT Emitter Locating System (AEELS), as well as numerous other antennae and a camera position in the refuelling pod area of the aft fuselage. When the RC-135C was fully deployed, the Strategic Air Command was able to retire its fleet of Boeing RB-47H <i>Stratojet</i>s from active reconnaissance duties. The RC-135Cs played an important role in gathering electronic intelligence on North Vietnamese air defense systems. It was nicknamed the "Chipmunk" for its large "cheeks".
USAF
circa 1969 <div style="display: none;">date QS:P,+1969-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902</div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/index.asp">National Museum of the U.S. Air Force</a> photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2014%5C01%5C140114-F-DW547-010.jpg">140114-F-DW547-010</a>