The Boeing NC-135 and NKC-135 are special versions of the Boeing C-135 Stratolifter and Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker modified to operate on several different programs.
Readiness Program
In support of the U.S. Test Readiness Program that was initiated in response to the Limited Test Ban Treaty 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 at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Work was initiated in 1963 and the aircraft remained in service until 1976, flying principally for Sandia, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
The Atomic Energy Commission maintained controlling oversight of the NC-135 flight test aircraft.
After 1976, the aircraft flew for Air Force Weapons Laboratory.
Airborne astronomy missions
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 study solar eclipses as well as cosmic rays entering the atmosphere and the effects of magnetic fields in the ionosphere.
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.
The first eclipse mission took place from Pago 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.
Big Crow
Big Crow is the designation of the two NKC-135 test-bed aircraft heavily modified for electronic warfare testing.
These planes were also used as a target simulator for flight testing the Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser.
On March 15, 2007, the YAL-1 successfully fired this laser in flight, hitting its target.
The target was the NKC-135E Big 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.
Big Crow aircraft are also used as downrange telemetry assets in conjunction with Western Launch and Test Range launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Other versions
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.
From 1975 to 1984, the US used an NKC-135 for its Airborne Laser Lab program.
The modified NKC-135A carried 10.6 micrometre Carbon Dioxide Laser.
Tests included successful interceptions of small air-to-air missiles and of drone aircraft.
Despite the combat potential of the system, it was kept strictly experimental.
However, the SCUD threat faced during the Gulf War reignited interest in an airborne laser system, resulting in the Boeing YAL-1.
Specifications
Crew
3 or 4
Length
136 ft 3 in (41.53 m)
Wingspan
130 ft 10 in (39.88 m)
Height
41 ft 8 in (12.70 m)
Wing area
2,433 sq ft (226.0 m2)
Aspect ratio
7.04
Airfoil
Root
BAC 310/311/312
Tip
BAC 313
Empty weight
123,000 lb (55,792 kg) operating weight empty
Max take-off weight
270,000 lb (122,470 kg)
Fuel capacity
189,702 lb (86,047 kg)
Powerplant
4 × Pratt & Whitney J57-P-59W turbojet engines,
13,750 lbf (61.2 kN) thrust each with water-injection for take-off
Performance
Maximum speed
610 mph (980 km/h, 530 kn) at high altitude
Cruise speed
532 mph (856 km/h, 462 kn) at 35,000 ft (10,668 m)
