OC-135B Open Skies

Photo by Ernie Szelepcsenyi

Mission
The United States of America Open Skies OC-135B Observation Aircraft supports the Open Skies Treaty. The aircraft flies unarmed observation flights over participating parties of the treaty.

Characteristics
Primary Function: Support Open Skies Treaty
Contractor: Boeing Military Airplanes Div.
Power Plant: Four Pratt and Whitney TF33-P-5 turbofans with thrust reversers
Thrust: 16,050 pounds, each engine
Length: 135 feet (41.1 meters)
Height: 42 feet (12.8 meters)
Wingspan: 131 feet (39.9 meters)
Speed: 500+ miles per hour (Mach 0.66)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 297,000 pounds (133,633 kilograms)
Unrefueled Range: 3,900 miles (6,500 kilometers)
Crew: Flight: Seven (three pilots, two navugators, and two flight engineers.
OSIA mission flight crew: one mission commander, one deputy mission commander, two sensor operators, and one flight follower
Date Deployed: 1993
Inventory: Active force = 1 (3 by 1996); National Guard = 0; Reserve = 0