IC Technology & Surveillance — 2026-06-20

L3Harris Plans RC-135 Rivet Joint Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming to Expand SIGINT Collection Capabilities

BLUFL3Harris will likely demonstrate RC-135 crewed-uncrewed teaming by end of 2028, extending SIGINT collection beyond threat envelopes that increasingly deny manned platforms access to priority target areas.

L3Harris ISR President Jason Lambert told The War Zone that the company is in discussions to demonstrate crewed-uncrewed teaming with the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint fleet, stating the technology already exists and requires only demonstration 1. The War Zone reports that paired drones would extend collection beyond the aircraft's organic sensor range and radio horizon, support triangulation-based signal geolocation, and allow Rivet Joints to stand off from adversary threat envelopes 1. Lambert said L3Harris has engaged multiple unidentified drone makers and would provide secure datalinks through its Broadband Communications Systems unit in Salt Lake City 1. The company maintains the full global RC-135 fleet, comprising 17 USAF and three RAF aircraft, through depot maintenance and continuous spiral software upgrades at its Greenville, Texas facility 1.

Analysis
L3Harris holds full depot and upgrade authority over the entire RC-135 fleet and operates the BCS secure datalink infrastructure the architecture requires, with Lambert stating no technology gap remains. A crewed-uncrewed teaming demonstration for the Rivet Joint is likely by end of 2028. Growing SAM envelopes are pushing Rivet Joints further from collection zones; drone teammates would extend coverage beyond the radio horizon and enable triangulation-based geolocation unavailable to single-platform collection. Analytic confidence is moderate, resting on one industry interview with no contract award or Air Force program-office confirmation. Lambert's disclosure serves L3Harris commercial interests as much as it reflects a formal demonstration program, and failure to close the standoff gap would leave USAF collection managers without a viable coverage solution for contested airspace.

1 sources

RC-135 Rivet Joints Could Control Drones To Drastically Expand Collection Capabilities - The War Zone