The USAF is set to convert three old KC-135R tankers into highly specialized WC-135 Constant Phoenix 'nuclear sniffer' aircraft. THE 197TH AIR Refueling Squadron, a unit of the Arizona Air National Guard (ANG) located in Phoenix, has provided three Boeing KC-135R tankers that will be upgraded into Constant Phoenix 'nuke sniffers', a highly specialized atmospheric-collection aircraft. The trio of tankers undergoing modification are 64-14829, 64-14831, and 64-14836. The latter will be the first aircraft to undergo the lengthy conversion process, having been delivered earlier this year to L3 Harris Technologies depot at Majors Field in Greenville, Texas. The primary duty of the WC-135R Constant Phoenix is to collect nuclear debris in the atmosphere. Essentially, the aircraft will fly along pre-determined upper atmospheric tracks to seek out particles from nuclear weapons testing. At present, all nuclear explosions are conducted underground - although there is sufficient shift in the earth's crust to enable small amounts of radioactive particles to be released into the air. This debris slowly rises and is eventually carried into the upper atmosphere where it remains for a limited period. The Constant Phoenix will be flown to specific areas to 'sniff out' and penetrate these suspected radioactive 'clouds'. The aircraft is equipped with special on-board atmospheric-collection sensors that can capture minute particles as the air is being sucked into its U-1B foils, positioned either side of the aircraft above the wing root.
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