Boeing WC-135W Constant Phoenix Atmospheric Collection Variant
The Boeing WC-135W Constant Phoenix was the legacy U.S. Air Force atmospheric-collection variant of the KC-135 family. Modified from C-135 platforms, it collected particulate and gaseous effluents for nuclear-detection and treaty-monitoring missions before the Air Force transitioned its two-aircraft WC-135W fleet to three WC-135R aircraft in 2023.
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Identity
- Aliases
- WC-135W Constant PhoenixWC-135WConstant PhoenixWC-135C/W
- Family Name
- Boeing WC-135W Constant Phoenix
- Full Name
- Boeing WC-135W Constant Phoenix Atmospheric Collection Variant
- Roles
- militaryreconnaissance
- Status
- retired
- 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-135W Constant Phoenix was the legacy U.S. Air Force atmospheric-collection variant of the KC-135 family. Modified from C-135 platforms, it collected particulate and gaseous effluents for nuclear-detection and treaty-monitoring missions before the Air Force transitioned its two-aircraft WC-135W fleet to three WC-135R aircraft in 2023.
- Manufacturer
- Parent Vehicle Family
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 4
- Placement
- nacelle
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Stage
- airframe
- Variant Notes
- Exact Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-5 turbofan installation for the retired WC-135W atmospheric-collection variant.
- Name
- WC-135W TF33-P-5 installation
- Notes
- The U.S. Air Force identifies four Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-5 turbofans with thrust reversers on the WC-135W Constant Phoenix.
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Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 05:34:48 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 14, 2026 at 05:42:14 UTC