| NC-135 / NKC-135 | |
|---|---|
 NKC-135AAirborne Laser Lab | |
| General information | |
| Type | Special test missions aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | United States Air Force |
| History | |
| Developed from | Boeing C-135 Stratolifter Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker |
TheBoeing NC-135 andNKC-135 are special versions of theBoeing C-135 Stratolifter andBoeing KC-135 Stratotanker modified to operate on several different programs.
In support of the U.S.Test Readiness Program that was initiated in response to theLimited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT) of 1963,Sandia National Laboratories configured three NC-135 aircraft as flying laboratories to support atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons, should testing resume. These aircraft were based atKirtland Air Force Base. Work was initiated in 1963 and the aircraft remained in service until 1976, flying principally for Sandia, theLos Alamos National Laboratory, and theLawrence Livermore National Laboratory.[1] TheAtomic Energy Commission (AEC) maintained controlling oversight of the NC-135 flight test aircraft. After 1976, the aircraft flew forAir Force Weapons Laboratory.[2]
While flying simulations for the Test Readiness Program, the science teams assigned to the NC-135 aircraft realized that their flying laboratories could be effectively used to studysolar eclipses as well ascosmic rays entering the atmosphere and the effects of magnetic fields in theionosphere. Program scientists petitioned the AEC to allow for a program-within-a-program to use the aircraft for such scientific research. The petition was approved, and research continued through 1975.[2][4]
The first eclipse mission took place fromPago Pago International Airport in 1965. Flying in conjunction with several other science aircraft, one of the NC-135s managed to fly within eclipse totality for 160 seconds, providing valuable science data. Eclipse missions were also flown in 1970, 1972, 1973, 1979 and 1980.[2]
Big Crow is the designation of the two NKC-135 test-bed aircraft (55-3132 and 63-8050) heavily modified for electronic warfare testing. These planes were also used as a target simulator for flight testing theBoeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser.[5] On March 15, 2007, the YAL-1 successfully fired this laser in flight, hitting its target. The target was the NKC-135EBig Crow 1 test aircraft that had been specially modified with a "signboard" target on its fuselage. The test validated the system's ability to track an airborne target and measure and compensate for atmospheric distortion.[6]
Big Crow aircraft were also used as downrange telemetry assets in conjunction withWestern Launch and Test Range launches fromVandenberg Air Force Base in California.[7]
Since 2008, 55-3132 and 63-8050 have been retired, and relegated to theAMARG (Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ).[8][9]
One aircraft, serial 61–2666, has been modified as an NC-135W to test systems and equipment used on RC-135V and W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft. As of September 2023, 61-2666 has been withdrawn from use and stored at DMA.[10][11]
From 1975 to 1984, the US used an NKC-135 for itsAirborne Laser Lab program. The modified NKC-135A carried 10.6 micrometer Carbon Dioxide Laser. Tests included successful interceptions of smallair-to-air missiles (such as theAIM-9 Sidewinder) and ofdrone aircraft. Despite the combat potential of the system, it was kept strictly experimental. However, theSCUD threat faced during theGulf War reignited interest in an airborne laser system, resulting in theBoeing YAL-1.[12][13]
Data from Encyclopedia of world military aircraft Volume 1[citation needed][15]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
