The Boeing RC-135 is a family of large reconnaissance aircraft built by Boeing and modified by a number of companies, including General Dynamics, Lockheed, LTV, E-Systems, and L3 Technologies, and used by the United States Air Force and Royal Air Force to support theater and national level intelligence consumers with near real-time on-scene collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities.
Boeing RC-135
Two Cobra Ball aircraft on the flightline at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska in 2001.
A Combat Sent aircraft in flight with its unique nose cone, wingtips, and tail
An RC-135V Rivet Joint on final approach at Kadena AB
A reconnaissance aircraft is a military aircraft designed or adapted to perform aerial reconnaissance with roles including collection of imagery intelligence, signals intelligence, as well as measurement and signature intelligence. Modern technology has also enabled some aircraft and UAVs to carry out real-time surveillance in addition to general intelligence gathering.
A USAF SR-71 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft
USAF's RC-135U Combat Sent reconnaissance (ELINT) aircraft
ScanEagle reconnaissance UAV on its catapult launcher