New WC-135R Nuclear Monitoring Aircraft Completes 1st Flight Test

The first of three Air Force planes to be converted for nuclear detection missions made its first test flight last week, reports the War Zone news site.

The former KC-135R aerial tanker has been modified into the WC-135R Constant Phoenix configuration to replace aging WC-135W aircraft that have become increasingly difficult to fly and maintain following years of neglect.

Three WC-135Rs are planned to monitor nuclear weapons tests and look for and track nuclear leaks. The first...