The Air Force took delivery on the third and final WC-135R "Nuke Sniffer" aircraft, completing its transition from its two-aircraft WC-135C/W fleet. The aircraft sample the air for particles and gases indicating nuclear activities. There are few missions like it anywhere else in the U.S. ...
WC-135
The Air Force has ordered safety inspections for its entire fleets of KC-135 tankers, RC-135 reconnaissance planes, and WC-135 “nuke sniffers” over poorly-made tail pins, preventing aircraft from flying until they are cleared. The Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO), issued Feb. 14, affects hundreds of aircraft. ...
Total aircraft inventory; aircraft inventory trends; ICBM and satellite inventory; aircraft age; tail codes.