Boeing NC-135#Big Crow

In support of the U.S. Test Readiness Program that was initiated in response to the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT) 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.sandia.gov/recordsmgmt/exhibits/ReadinessProgram.pdf |title=Readiness Program |access-date=2007-03-22 |publisher=Sandia National Laboratories |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212075647/http://www.sandia.gov/recordsmgmt/exhibits/ReadinessProgram.pdf|archive-date=2006-02-12|url-status=dead}} The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) maintained controlling oversight of the NC-135 flight test aircraft. After 1976, the aircraft flew for Air Force Weapons Laboratory.{{cite web |url=http://library.lanl.gov/cgi-bin/getfile?00285812.pdf |title=In Flight: The Story of Los Alamos Eclipse Missions |access-date=2007-03-22 |last=Mulkin |first=Barb |work=Los Alamos Science |publisher=Los Alamos National Laboriatories }}

File:Boeing NC-135 USN on ramp.JPEG

File:Boeing NKC-135 "Big Crow" and KC-135R.JPEG

File:Boeing NKC-135 "Big Crow" nose.JPEG

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.sofia.usra.edu/Edu/docs/97-Whiting_AeroHistory.pdf |title=Milestones in Airbornce Astronomy: From the 1920s to the Present |access-date=2007-03-22 |last=Dolci |first=Wendy |year=1997 |publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050330100204/http://www.sofia.usra.edu/Edu/docs/97-Whiting_AeroHistory.pdf|archive-date=2005-03-30|url-status=dead}}

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. Eclipse missions were also flown in 1970, 1972, 1973, 1979 and 1980.

Big Crow is the designation of the two NKC-135 test-bed aircraft (55-3132 and 63-8050) heavily modified for electronic warfare testing. These planes were also used as a target simulator for flight testing the Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser.{{cite web |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y2008/MDA/0603883C.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528120427/http://www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y2008/MDA/0603883C.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=May 28, 2008 |title=RDT&E, DW/04 Advanced Component Development and Prototypes |access-date=2007-03-22 |date=February 2007 |work=Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Exhibit R-2 RDT&E Budget Item Justification |publisher=Missile Defense Agency}} 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.Grill, Eric M., "Airborne Laser fires tracking laser, hits target", Aerotech News and Review, March 23, 2007, vol 22 issue 8

Big Crow aircraft were also used as downrange telemetry assets in conjunction with Western Launch and Test Range launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.{{cite web |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d335/080812delay.html |title=Delta 2 rocket launch of GeoEye craft postponed |author=Ray, Justin |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=2008-08-12}}

Since 2008, 55-3132 and 63-8050 have been retired, and relegated to the AMARG (Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ).{{cite web|title=HNL RareBirds|url=http://hnlrarebirds.blogspot.com/2011/03/us-air-forces-55-3132.html|website=hnlrarebirds.blogspot.com|date=5 March 2011 |access-date=9 July 2015}}{{cite web|title=NKC135B & E 63-8050 / 55-3132 USAF|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/shanair/6197200453|website=www.flickr.com|date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 July 2015}}

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. As of September 2023, 61-2666 has been withdrawn from use and stored at DMA. DoD 4120.15L Model Designations of Military Aerospace Vehicles{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/412015-L(addendum).html|title=DOD 4120.15-L – Addendum|work=designation-systems.net}}

From 1975 to 1984, the US used an NKC-135 for its Airborne Laser Lab program. The modified NKC-135A carried 10.6 micrometer Carbon Dioxide Laser. Tests included successful interceptions of small air-to-air missiles (such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder) 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/all.htm|title=Airborne Laser Laboratory|author=John Pike|work=globalsecurity.org}}[http://www.ausairpower.net/AADR-HEL-Dec-81.html] HIGH ENERGY LASER WEAPONS

;{{USA}}

• United States Air Force
• United States Navy: Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group

• 55-3123 - Originally built as a KC-135A, since 1984 NKC-135 Airborne Laser Lab has been on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. In August 2011 it was removed from display in the museum's Air Park to make room for the arrival of the museum's C-5A Galaxy. The aircraft is currently in storage.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=787|website=www.nationalmuseum.af.mil|access-date=9 July 2017|title=BOEING NKC-135A STRATOTANKER (AIRBORNE LASER LAB)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722020529/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=787|archive-date=22 July 2015}}

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Encyclopedia of world military aircraft Volume 1{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}{{cite book |editor1-last=Donald |editor1-first=David |editor2-last=Lake |editor2-first=John |title=Encyclopedia of world military aircraft Volume 1 |year=1994 |publisher=Aerospace |isbn=1874023522 |pages=72 |edition=1st}}

|prime units?=imp

|crew=3: pilot, copilot, boom operator (4th crew member is a navigator for aircraft without the PACER CRAG update)

|capacity= mission crew members

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|span ft=130

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|span note=

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|wing area sqft=2433

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=7.04

|airfoil=root:BAC 310/311/312; tip: BAC 313{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}

|empty weight lb=123000

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|eng1 number=4

|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney J57-P-43WB

|eng1 type=turbojet engines

|eng1 lbf=13750

|eng1 note=with water-injection for take-off

|max speed mph=610

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|cruise speed mph=532

|cruise speed note=at {{cvt|35000|ft|0}}

|stall speed mph=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed mph=

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|minimum control speed mph=

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|range note=

|combat range miles=4400

|combat range note=

|ferry range miles=9200

|ferry range note=

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|ceiling ft=41000

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|glide ratio=

|climb rate ftmin=1290

|climb rate note=

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|more performance=

• Take-off run: {{cvt|10700|ft|0}} at MTOW

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{{Aircontent

|related=

• Boeing 367-80
• Boeing 707
• Boeing C-135 Stratolifter
• Boeing C-137 Stratoliner
• Boeing EC-135
• Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
• Boeing OC-135B Open Skies
• Boeing RC-135
• Boeing WC-135 Constant Phoenix

|similar aircraft=

• Beriev A-60
• Boeing YAL-1
• Convair UC-880
• Douglas C-24

|lists=

|see also=

• Aircrew

}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Boeing NKC-135}}

{{Boeing support aircraft}}

{{707 military variants}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boeing Nc-135}}

C-0135N, Boeing

Category:Nuclear warfare

Category:Telemetry

C-135N, Boeing

Category:Quadjets

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear