Boeing WC-135R Constant Phoenix Atmospheric Collection Variant
The Boeing WC-135R Constant Phoenix is the current U.S. Air Force atmospheric-collection variant of the KC-135 family. The Air Force completed the transition from the retired WC-135C/W fleet to three WC-135R aircraft in 2023; the mission supports national-level collection of atmospheric particulates and gases for nuclear-detection and treaty-monitoring operations.
Follow this vehicle family
Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.
Identity
- Aliases
- WC-135R Constant PhoenixWC-135RConstant Phoenix
- Family Name
- Boeing WC-135R Constant Phoenix
- Full Name
- Boeing WC-135R Constant Phoenix Atmospheric Collection Variant
- Roles
- militaryreconnaissance
- Status
- active
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Cruise Speed
- …
- Max Speed
- …
- Max Takeoff Mass
- …
- Operating Modes
- land
- Range
- …
- Service Ceiling
- …
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Boeing WC-135R Constant Phoenix is the current U.S. Air Force atmospheric-collection variant of the KC-135 family. The Air Force completed the transition from the retired WC-135C/W fleet to three WC-135R aircraft in 2023; the mission supports national-level collection of atmospheric particulates and gases for nuclear-detection and treaty-monitoring operations.
- Dimensions
- Height
- …
- Length
- …
- Wingspan
- …
- Manufacturer
- Parent Vehicle Family
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 4
- Placement
- nacelle
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Stage
- airframe
- Variant Notes
- The Air Force states that WC-135R aircraft retain the same CFM-56 turbofan engines as the KC-135R fleet; the exact canonical relationship is the existing F108-CF-100 (CFM56-2B) node.
- Name
- WC-135R F108-CF-100 installation
- Notes
- The source establishes the CFM56/F108 installation but not a separate WC-135R engine suffix; no unrepresented propulsion node was created.
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 05:28:40 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 15, 2026 at 10:38:58 UTC