I Heard it was Funny Nose Week

Posted by Newbosterone@reddit | WeirdWings | View on Reddit | 26 comments

Source. During the early 1960s, NASA and the Department of Defense needed a mobile tracking and telemetry platform to support the Apollo space program and other unmanned space flight operations. In a joint project, NASA and the DoD contracted with the McDonnell Douglas and the Bendix Corporations to modify eight Boeing C-135 Stratolifter cargo aircraft into Apollo/Range Instrumentation Aircraft (A/RIA). Equipped with a steerable seven-foot antenna dish in its distinctive "Droop Snoot" or "Snoopy Nose," the EC-135N A/RIA became operational in January 1968. The Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., maintained and operated the A/RIA until the end of the Apollo program in 1972 when the USAF renamed it the Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA).

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Equivalent_Tiger_7@reddit

So ugly, it could be British!

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RandomQrimQuestnoob1@reddit

I think there was one that had a bulge on both sides and was a development nightmare

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StandardMortgage833@reddit

A Nimrod variant, manufactured by BAe Systems.

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Sivalon@reddit

Nimrod AEW

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StandardMortgage833@reddit

Thank you, that was what I meant, the BAe Systems Nimrod AEW.3.

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AviationArtCollector@reddit

On 3 November 2000, the last EC-135E (serial number 60-374, nicknamed ‘The Bird of Prey’) was delivered to the US Air Force Museum. During its 32-year career, ARIA has supported the US space programme, provided telemetry, verified international treaty data and provided cruise and ballistic missile testing.

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Ivebeenfurthereven@reddit

verified international treaty data

What do they mean by this?

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hogdriver@reddit

Likely refers to the Open Skies Treaty where Russia and US can fly unarmed military aircraft over each other's territory to view/photograph/confirm military activity.

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BallewEngineering@reddit

So if it’s like the WC-135R, nuclear and missile treaties usually allow participating countries to monitor tests and verify the stated test results. I assume this plane monitored missiles as part of some treaty.

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talon_262@reddit

Jimmy Durante approved, I'm sure.

Hot cha cha cha...

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No_Flatworm_4197@reddit

British people

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actioncheese@reddit

Conformal noses?

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I_Am_Very_Busy_7@reddit

Always a favorite sighting at the USAF museum, love the Droop Snoot.

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Vinyl-addict@reddit

Looks like it tried to eat a bee

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Ivebeenfurthereven@reddit

Let 'im eat a bee... He'll soon learn!

- My grandmother-in-law, giving some rural Irish advice on puppy training

(He was not, in fact, allowed to eat the bee)

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cgo_123456@reddit

This is what my grandpa would've called a schnozz.

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olemetry@reddit

What's it for? Radar?

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Newbosterone@reddit (OP)

Yes there’s a steerable 7’(!) radar dish in there.

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AviationArtCollector@reddit

In the early 60's NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) needed a highly mobile tracking and telemetry system to support the Apollo space programme and other unmanned space programmes. NASA and DoD signed a joint project contract with McDonnell Douglas and Bendix Corporations to upgrade 8 Boeing C-135 Stratolifter transport aircraft into Apollo / Range Instrumentation Aircraft (A/RIA).

Since the mid 90's, due to high maintenance costs and advances in satellite technology, the Air Force moved the aircraft to other programmes such as J-STARS (Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System).

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