Program · United States · U.S. Air Force
RC-135V/W Rivet Joint
RC-135V/W Rivet Joint · Fielded · U.S. Air Force
Cost to the Government
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Program totals · 1 | ||
| R&D program totalA separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate. | Not established | — |
| Unit costs · 1 | ||
| Acquisition / unitAir Force fact sheet explicitly lists unit cost as unavailable. | Not established | — |
| Quantities · 2 | ||
| Active-force inventoryU.S. V/W fleet only; excludes foreign Airseeker aircraft and other RC-135 variants. | 17U.S. only | RC-135V/W fact sheet U.S. Air Force · figure Undated fact sheet; reviewed Oct 9, 2026 |
| Program quantityA comparable total acquisition quantity has not been verified. | Not established | — |
| Operating costs · 1 | ||
| Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership. | $32,704 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026 |
Program totals · 1
- R&D program totalA separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate.Source not recordedNot established
Unit costs · 1
- Acquisition / unitAir Force fact sheet explicitly lists unit cost as unavailable.Source not recordedNot established
Quantities · 2
- Active-force inventoryU.S. V/W fleet only; excludes foreign Airseeker aircraft and other RC-135 variants.RC-135V/W fact sheet U.S. Air Force · figure Undated fact sheet; reviewed Oct 9, 202617U.S. only
- Program quantityA comparable total acquisition quantity has not been verified.Source not recordedNot established
Operating costs · 1
- Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership.FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026$32,704 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
Earlier observations · 1
Superseded estimates and prices, each in its original scope and dollar basis.
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership. | $32,704 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026 |
- Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership.FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026$32,704 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
Cost boundary
Rivet Joint combines a legacy airframe with specialized intelligence equipment. A commercial airliner price, a mission-system upgrade award or a different RC-135 variant is not a valid substitute for a complete V/W acquisition figure.
Open research: Figures retain the date and scope of the original source. A historical count, cumulative delivery or procurement plan is not today’s mission-capable inventory. Air Force fact sheet explicitly lists unit cost as unavailable. A separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate.
What the government budgets and pays for this program, from budget justification books, appropriations, acquisition reports and contract announcements. Each figure states its dollar basis. What contractors were obligated is under Contracts.
No participants, contracts or systems recorded for this program yet.