Boeing RC-135S Cobra Ball Ballistic Missile Tracking Reconnaissance Variant
The Boeing RC-135S Cobra Ball is a specialized KC-135/C-135-derived reconnaissance variant that collects optical and electronic data on ballistic targets for national-priority missions, arms-treaty verification, and strategic missile-defense analysis. Its sensor suite, forward deployment capability, and three-aircraft active inventory make it a distinct child of the KC-135 lineage.
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Identity
- Aliases
- RC-135S Cobra BallCobra BallRC-135SBoeing RC-135S
- Family Name
- Boeing RC-135S Cobra Ball
- Full Name
- Boeing RC-135S Cobra Ball Ballistic Missile Tracking Reconnaissance Variant
- Roles
- militaryreconnaissancecommunications
- Status
- active
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Cruise Speed Kph
- 805
- Max Takeoff Mass Kg
- 133,633
- Operating Modes
- land
- Range Km
- 6,500
- Service Ceiling M
- 10,668
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Boeing RC-135S Cobra Ball is a specialized KC-135/C-135-derived reconnaissance variant that collects optical and electronic data on ballistic targets for national-priority missions, arms-treaty verification, and strategic missile-defense analysis. Its sensor suite, forward deployment capability, and three-aircraft active inventory make it a distinct child of the KC-135 lineage.
- Manufacturer
- Parent Vehicle Family
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Nested value
- Name
- RC-135S F108-CF-201 installation
- Notes
- The U.S. Air Force specifies four CFM International F108-CF-201 high-bypass turbofan engines on RC-135S Cobra Ball.
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Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 05:21:20 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 14, 2026 at 05:28:31 UTC