Busy times for USAF's only Nuke Sniffer
A five minute read how the Russian Federation's nuclear technology ambitions are being watched by the USAF.
On 9 August 2021, USAF's Boeing WC-135W Constant Phoenix Nuke Sniffer, with serial number 61-2667, flew another 12-hour round trip from its temporary home base RAF Mildenhall (UK).
Since the beginning of August, the WC-135W, with callsign Jake21 has flown multiple missions over the Baltic Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea. That the Americans are serious is apparent from the fact that on the 9th two Mildenhall based KC-135R Stratotankers (serials 62-3540/63-7999) went along as support.
The Nuke Sniffer is the only one of its kind and is used to collect air samples to monitor radiation levels in the atmosphere. Besides that, the WC-135W can also be wielded before and after (alleged) nuclear weapon tests and/ or atomic accidents have occured. In November 2020, Scramble Magazine wrote about the USAF's Nuke Sniffer.
Clearly aimed gaining information about Russia's military intentions and capacities, Scramble Magazine has learned that these latest USAF Nuke Sniffer missions go hand in hand with planned Russian exercises and (nuclear) tests. It is also about the restricted city of Severodvinsk situated on the White Sea.
The Russian Navy Nenoksa Severodvinsk Naval Testing Range is located near Severodvinsk on the White Sea. A Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) had been issued from 10 August til 12 August. The NOTAM covers much of the eastern White Sea to the Kanin Peninsula.
The above dates almost match with the nuclear accident at Nenoksa on 8 August 2019. Back than it was stated that there was an explosive destruction of an isotope power source. Western analysts assessed that it possibly concerned a failed Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile test/recovery. The NOTAM could be for Burevestnik tests. But as most 3M22 Tsirkon hypersonic missile tests have taken place at Nenoksa, it cannot be ruled out that testing takes further place.
Than there is the nuclear submarine K-329 Belgorod with project number 09852 which can carry an unmanned underwater vehicle Poseidon with a nuclear reactor. The Belgogrod had recently came back from the first phase of sea trials. It is well possible that further tests with the Belgorod are planned.
While it likely that Russia will test the above mentioned weapon systems in due time and in September, when Russia and Belarus will begin the massive Zapad 2021 strategic military exercise, more USAF Nuke Sniffer missions are expected.
Photo by Rob Starling (On Flickr)
Radar Image: ADS-B Exchange via Status-6 on Twitter and NOTAM overview via The Lookout on Twitter