Air Force

US Boosting ‘Nuke Sniffing’ Capabilities with ‘Harvester Kits’

The US Air Force’s aging WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft will soon be able to freshen up their nuke-sniffing capabilities, thanks to new “harvester kits” with the ability to detect microscopic nuclear particles in the atmosphere.

In 2016, the USAF spent $10.1 million on two “Harvester Particulate Airborne Collection System” kits that can be strapped to WC-135 aircraft, Susan Romano, a spokesperson for the Air Force Technical Applications Center, said recently.

You've reached your daily free article limit.

Subscribe and support our veteran writing staff to continue reading.

Get Full Ad-Free Access For Just $0.50/Week

Enjoy unlimited digital access to our Military Culture, Defense, and Foreign Policy coverage content and support a veteran owned business. Already a subscriber?

The US Air Force’s aging WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft will soon be able to freshen up their nuke-sniffing capabilities, thanks to new “harvester kits” with the ability to detect microscopic nuclear particles in the atmosphere.

In 2016, the USAF spent $10.1 million on two “Harvester Particulate Airborne Collection System” kits that can be strapped to WC-135 aircraft, Susan Romano, a spokesperson for the Air Force Technical Applications Center, said recently.

“Our mission capable rates, and more importantly our aircraft availability rates to go do this mission, are much lower than not only the secretary of defense but the combatant commander’s requirements for that mission,” Goldfein said. The Harvester kits, developed by the Sandia National Laboratory, may thus give the WC-135 planes the boost they need. – Sputnik

Featured image of a WC-135W Constant Phoenix aircraft performing touch ‘n go landing exercises Feb. 12 at Offutt Air Force Base, NE by U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Plueger

COMMENTS

You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.

More from SOFREP

REAL EXPERTS.
REAL NEWS.

Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis.

TRY 14 DAYS FREE

Already a subscriber? Log In