| WC-135 Constant Phoenix | |
|---|---|
._(9047865061).jpg) A WC-135 Constant Phoenix on takeoff | |
| General information | |
| Type | Atmosphere testing related to nuclear incidents |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Military Airplanes Division |
| Status | 3 aircraft in service (WC-135R)[1] |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 14 (10 converted C-135B, one converted EC-135C, three converted KC-135R) |
| History | |
| Introduction date | December 1965 |
| Developed from | C-135 Stratolifter |
| Variants | OC-135B Open Skies |
The WC-135 Constant Phoenix is a special-purpose aircraft derived from the Boeing C-135 Stratolifter and used by the United States Air Force. Its mission is to collect samples from the atmosphere for the purpose of detecting and identifying nuclear explosions. It is also informally referred to as the "weather bird"[2] or "the sniffer" by workers on the program and international media respectively.[3]
- ^ "Third, final WC-135R Constant Phoenix arrives". 55th Wing Official Website. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ Cenciotti, David (April 12, 2017). "U.S. Air Force deploys WC-135 "nuclear sniffer" plane to Japan to monitor North Korea's possible nuke weapons tests".
- ^ Johnson, Jesse (May 20, 2017). "China denies intercept of 'nuke-sniffer' plane was unsafe, says U.S. must halt surveillance flights". The Japan Times.