A powerful U.S. Air Force reconnaissance jet, the RC-135U “Combat Sent”, was recently tracked flying multiple loops near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, sparking renewed interest amid rising NATO–Russia tensions.
According to open-source flight data, the aircraft one of only two RC-135U planes in the American fleet departed RAF Mildenhall in England early Tuesday morning. It flew eastward across the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland before reaching Kaliningrad, where it conducted a series of tight orbits offshore. The mission lasted about six and a half hours before the plane returned safely to base.
This flight marks the second reconnaissance mission of its kind in just a week.
What Makes the RC-135U So Special?
Built by Boeing, the RC-135U is designed to intercept, analyze, and identify enemy radar signals from land, sea, and air defense systems. The U.S. Air Force says the aircraft provides strategic electronic intelligence directly to senior military and government leaders including the President, Secretary of Defense, and combat commanders.
Onboard systems include high-, very-high-, and ultra-high-frequency radios, as well as ground radar, Doppler navigation, and GPS-integrated celestial guidance.
Because it’s equipped with aerial refueling capabilities, the RC-135U can remain airborne for extremely long missions in effect, giving it an almost unlimited range. Each aircraft is operated by a crew of over 20 specialists, including pilots, navigators, engineers, and a team of elite electronic warfare officers known as “Ravens.”
Rising Tensions Around NATO Airspace
The surveillance flights come at a time of heightened alert across Eastern Europe. In recent weeks, Russian drones repeatedly entered NATO airspace, with Polish officials confirming that allied fighter jets were scrambled to shoot down several unmanned aircraft in September a first since the war in Ukraine began.
Military analysts say these drone incursions are likely “probing missions” meant to test NATO’s radar and air defense readiness. Former Australian general Mick Ryan described them as deliberate acts of escalation rather than navigation errors, noting that multiple drones crossed into Polish territory on September 10.
Ukrainian officials echoed similar warnings, accusing President Vladimir Putin of “testing the West’s limits” by pushing airspace boundaries and expanding military pressure near NATO borders.
As tensions continue to rise, reconnaissance missions like those flown by the RC-135U Combat Sent offer NATO crucial intelligence and serve as a visible reminder that the alliance is watching closely.
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