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Boeing OC-135B Open Skies

February 22, 2023

The OC-135B Open Skies is a United States Air Force observation aircraft that supports the Treaty on Open Skies.[1] The aircraft, a modified WC-135B, flies unarmed observation flights over participating parties of the treaty. Three OC-135B aircraft were modified by the Aeronautical Systems Center's 4950th Test Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The first operationally-capable OC-135B was assigned to the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron at Offutt AFB in October 1993. It is now fitted with a basic set of navigational and sensor equipment, and was placed in inviolate storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona in 1997. Two fully operational OC-135B aircraft were delivered in 1996 with the full complement of treaty-allowed sensors, which includes an infrared line scanner, synthetic aperture radar and video scanning sensors.

OC-135 Open Skies
Role Observation Support/Support Open Skies Treaty
Manufacturer Boeing Military Airplanes Division
Introduction June 1993
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 3
Developed from C-135 Stratolifter

In May 2020, the Trump administration said it would exit the treaty and gave the required six-month notice.[2] In November, it announced plans to liquidate the two 60-year-old jets, offering them to other countries.[3][4]

Description of aircraft

The interior seats 35 people, including the cockpit crew, aircraft maintenance crew, foreign country representatives and crew members from the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Cameras installed include one vertical and two oblique KS-87E framing cameras used for low-altitude photography approximately 3,000 feet (900 m) above the ground, and one KA-91C panoramic camera, which scans from side to side to provide a wide sweep for each picture used for high-altitude photography at approximately 35,000 feet (11,000 m).

The data annotation and recording system (DARMS) processes navigational, altitude, time and camera signals to annotate each picture with correct position, altitude, time, roll angle and other information. In addition, this system records every picture taken according to camera, frame and navigational position. A keyboard with trackball is the input device for operation of this system. Two Barco 12-inch (30 cm) VGA color monitors display camera annotation and other camera data on screen for the sensor operator and observer use.

Camera control, located in the sensor operator's console, operates and adjusts individual cameras for cloud cover, frame overlap and other functions. The sensor operator console seats four and has all the equipment listed above plus camera bay heating control, chronometers, emergency oxygen, interphone and individual lighting. The flight following console also seats four and includes most of the equipment listed above except for DARMS and camera controls.

Seven commercial Norcold Tek II coolers with individual refrigeration units maintain temperature and humidity control to maintain peak film performance. The units can be removed, if necessary, from the aircraft in order to transport film. The coolers are capable of storing 40,000 feet (12,000 m) of film.

Flight path

The aircraft flies on its intended flight path throughout the entire mission with no reliance on ground-based navigation devices. A top-of-the-line commercial system, Litton 92 INS/GPS, which is an integrated inertial navigation system (INS) with a global positioning system (GPS), provides continuous updates. The GPS updates the INS several times per second to correct any deviations in the flight path. The INS also feeds precise latitude, longitude, time, roll angle and barometric altitude to the DARMS and camera systems. A true airspeed computer feeds true airspeed data to the INS.

A combined altitude radar altimeter provides precise height above ground information to the pilot for navigational purposes as well as a signal to DARMS for film annotation. It is accurate from 0–50,000 feet (0–15,000 m) above the ground level. Plus, a metric altimeter is installed on the pilot's instrument panel for altitude reference when flying in countries that use meters for altitude reference.

The aircraft are being upgraded with the Block 30 Pacer Crag Navigational System upgrade, a first step in making them compliant with ICAO mandated Global Air Traffic Management and Global Air Navigation Standards guidelines.

Modifications

The OC-135B modifications center around four cameras installed in the rear of the aircraft. Since its primary mission is to take pictures, most of the installed equipment and systems provide direct support to the cameras and the camera operator. Other modifications to the aircraft also included installing an auxiliary power unit, crew luggage compartment, sensor operator console, flight following console and upgraded avionics. Though the aircraft feature a large window in the cargo door, this is simply a remnant of their previous weather reconnaissance role.

Other modifications support the aircrew. A gaseous oxygen system replaced the liquid oxygen system to be more compatible with foreign airfields, and fluorescent lighting system was added throughout the cabin to provide adequate lighting for operation and inspections. Four upgraded seats with a conference table, interphone, lighting and oxygen comprise the mission commanders' station for both countries' mission commanders. A four channel interphone system enables segregated communications between various elements on board. The auxiliary power unit enables the aircraft to start engines and provides electrical power and cabin heat independent of ground support equipment. It was manufactured by Allied Signal with the installation and design of the installation by E-Systems and World Auxiliary Power Company.

The aircraft are assigned to Air Combat Command at the 55th Wing, 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska, for operations, training and maintenance. When tasked, ACC's role is to transport a DTRA observation team to an Open Skies point of entry airport, conduct the observation flight, and then return the team to the continental United States.

Specifications (OC-135)

 

Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1994–95 (crew and operational equipment),[5] AF Fact Sheet : OC-135B OPEN SKIES[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Seven (three pilots, two navigators, and two sensor maintenance technicians)
  • Capacity: 31 mission crew, including DTRA mission flight crew: mission commander, deputy mission commander, two sensor operators and one flight follower
  • 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)
  • Airfoil: root: BAC 310/311/312; tip: BAC 313[7]
  • Empty weight: 98,466 lb (44,663 kg)
  • Empty equipped weight: 124,000 lb (56,000 kg)
  • Gross weight: 297,000 lb (134,717 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 322,500 lb (146,284 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Pratt and Whitney TF33-P-5 turbofan engines, 18,000 lbf (80 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 504 kn (580 mph, 933 km/h)
  • Range: 2,998 nmi (3,450 mi, 5,552 km)
  • Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (25 m/s)

Avionics

  • 3x Boeing KS-87B cameras
  • 1x Recon/Optical KA-91B panoramic camera
  • Loral AN/UPD-8 Synthetic aperture radar
  • Improved navigation and communications equipment

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

  1. ^ "OC-135B Open Skies". www.af.mil. US Air Force. February 1, 2001. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  2. ^ "US Officially Withdraws from Open Skies Agreement | Voice of America - English". www.voanews.com. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "The US is Out of the Open Skies Treaty. What's Next?". Air Force Magazine. November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Gordon, Michael R. (November 22, 2020). "Trump Exits Open Skies Treaty, Moves to Discard Observation Planes". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  5. ^ Lambert, Mark; Munson, Kenneth, eds. (1994). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1994–95 (84th ed.). Coulson, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710611604.
  6. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  7. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boeing OC-135B Open Skies.

This article includes public domain text from the following United States Government source:

February 22, 2023
boeing, 135b, open, skies, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, march, 2013, learn, when, remove, this, template, m. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message The OC 135B Open Skies is a United States Air Force observation aircraft that supports the Treaty on Open Skies 1 The aircraft a modified WC 135B flies unarmed observation flights over participating parties of the treaty Three OC 135B aircraft were modified by the Aeronautical Systems Center s 4950th Test Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio The first operationally capable OC 135B was assigned to the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron at Offutt AFB in October 1993 It is now fitted with a basic set of navigational and sensor equipment and was placed in inviolate storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson Arizona in 1997 Two fully operational OC 135B aircraft were delivered in 1996 with the full complement of treaty allowed sensors which includes an infrared line scanner synthetic aperture radar and video scanning sensors OC 135 Open SkiesRole Observation Support Support Open Skies TreatyManufacturer Boeing Military Airplanes DivisionIntroduction June 1993Primary user United States Air ForceNumber built 3Developed from C 135 StratolifterIn May 2020 the Trump administration said it would exit the treaty and gave the required six month notice 2 In November it announced plans to liquidate the two 60 year old jets offering them to other countries 3 4 Contents 1 Description of aircraft 2 Flight path 3 Modifications 4 Specifications OC 135 5 See also 6 ReferencesDescription of aircraft EditThe interior seats 35 people including the cockpit crew aircraft maintenance crew foreign country representatives and crew members from the U S Department of Defense s Defense Threat Reduction Agency DTRA Cameras installed include one vertical and two oblique KS 87E framing cameras used for low altitude photography approximately 3 000 feet 900 m above the ground and one KA 91C panoramic camera which scans from side to side to provide a wide sweep for each picture used for high altitude photography at approximately 35 000 feet 11 000 m The data annotation and recording system DARMS processes navigational altitude time and camera signals to annotate each picture with correct position altitude time roll angle and other information In addition this system records every picture taken according to camera frame and navigational position A keyboard with trackball is the input device for operation of this system Two Barco 12 inch 30 cm VGA color monitors display camera annotation and other camera data on screen for the sensor operator and observer use Camera control located in the sensor operator s console operates and adjusts individual cameras for cloud cover frame overlap and other functions The sensor operator console seats four and has all the equipment listed above plus camera bay heating control chronometers emergency oxygen interphone and individual lighting The flight following console also seats four and includes most of the equipment listed above except for DARMS and camera controls Seven commercial Norcold Tek II coolers with individual refrigeration units maintain temperature and humidity control to maintain peak film performance The units can be removed if necessary from the aircraft in order to transport film The coolers are capable of storing 40 000 feet 12 000 m of film Flight path EditThe aircraft flies on its intended flight path throughout the entire mission with no reliance on ground based navigation devices A top of the line commercial system Litton 92 INS GPS which is an integrated inertial navigation system INS with a global positioning system GPS provides continuous updates The GPS updates the INS several times per second to correct any deviations in the flight path The INS also feeds precise latitude longitude time roll angle and barometric altitude to the DARMS and camera systems A true airspeed computer feeds true airspeed data to the INS A combined altitude radar altimeter provides precise height above ground information to the pilot for navigational purposes as well as a signal to DARMS for film annotation It is accurate from 0 50 000 feet 0 15 000 m above the ground level Plus a metric altimeter is installed on the pilot s instrument panel for altitude reference when flying in countries that use meters for altitude reference The aircraft are being upgraded with the Block 30 Pacer Crag Navigational System upgrade a first step in making them compliant with ICAO mandated Global Air Traffic Management and Global Air Navigation Standards guidelines Modifications EditThe OC 135B modifications center around four cameras installed in the rear of the aircraft Since its primary mission is to take pictures most of the installed equipment and systems provide direct support to the cameras and the camera operator Other modifications to the aircraft also included installing an auxiliary power unit crew luggage compartment sensor operator console flight following console and upgraded avionics Though the aircraft feature a large window in the cargo door this is simply a remnant of their previous weather reconnaissance role Other modifications support the aircrew A gaseous oxygen system replaced the liquid oxygen system to be more compatible with foreign airfields and fluorescent lighting system was added throughout the cabin to provide adequate lighting for operation and inspections Four upgraded seats with a conference table interphone lighting and oxygen comprise the mission commanders station for both countries mission commanders A four channel interphone system enables segregated communications between various elements on board The auxiliary power unit enables the aircraft to start engines and provides electrical power and cabin heat independent of ground support equipment It was manufactured by Allied Signal with the installation and design of the installation by E Systems and World Auxiliary Power Company The aircraft are assigned to Air Combat Command at the 55th Wing 45th Reconnaissance Squadron Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha Nebraska for operations training and maintenance When tasked ACC s role is to transport a DTRA observation team to an Open Skies point of entry airport conduct the observation flight and then return the team to the continental United States Specifications OC 135 Edit Data from Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1994 95 crew and operational equipment 5 AF Fact Sheet OC 135B OPEN SKIES 6 General characteristicsCrew Seven three pilots two navigators and two sensor maintenance technicians Capacity 31 mission crew including DTRA mission flight crew mission commander deputy mission commander two sensor operators and one flight follower 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 Airfoil root BAC 310 311 312 tip BAC 313 7 Empty weight 98 466 lb 44 663 kg Empty equipped weight 124 000 lb 56 000 kg Gross weight 297 000 lb 134 717 kg Max takeoff weight 322 500 lb 146 284 kg Powerplant 4 Pratt and Whitney TF33 P 5 turbofan engines 18 000 lbf 80 kN thrust eachPerformance Maximum speed 504 kn 580 mph 933 km h Range 2 998 nmi 3 450 mi 5 552 km Service ceiling 50 000 ft 15 000 m Rate of climb 4 900 ft min 25 m s Avionics 3x Boeing KS 87B cameras 1x Recon Optical KA 91B panoramic camera Loral AN UPD 8 Synthetic aperture radar Improved navigation and communications equipmentSee also EditRelated development Boeing C 135 Stratolifter Boeing KC 135 Stratotanker Boeing WC 135 Constant Phoenix Boeing RC 135Related lists List of active United States military aircraftReferences Edit OC 135B Open Skies www af mil US Air Force February 1 2001 Retrieved November 15 2014 US Officially Withdraws from Open Skies Agreement Voice of America English www voanews com Retrieved November 24 2020 The US is Out of the Open Skies Treaty What s Next Air Force Magazine November 23 2020 Retrieved November 24 2020 Gordon Michael R November 22 2020 Trump Exits Open Skies Treaty Moves to Discard Observation Planes Wall Street Journal ISSN 0099 9660 Retrieved November 24 2020 Lambert Mark Munson Kenneth eds 1994 Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1994 95 84th ed Coulson Surrey UK Jane s Information Group ISBN 978 0710611604 AF Fact Sheet OC 135B OPEN SKIES af mil Archived from the original on August 2 2003 Retrieved May 4 2019 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved April 16 2019 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boeing OC 135B Open Skies This article includes public domain text from the following United States Government source OC 135B Fact Sheet published by the Air Combat Command Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Boeing OC 135B Open Skies amp oldid 1129322579, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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