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By Popular Mechanics
- An RC-135W reconnaissance aircraft of the United States Air Force made several flights off the Chinese island of Hainan.
- The plane changed its transponder code in mid-flight, mysteriously becoming a Malaysian plane.
- The RC-135W was probably trying to keep a low profile while spied on Chinese military bases.
electronically impersonated a Malaysian aircraft while flying over the South China Sea this week. The RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft flew off the Chinese island of Hainan on Tuesday, reaching 55 miles from mainland China. “Data-reactid =” 17 “> A US Air Force plane. electronically impersonated a Malaysian aircraft while flying over the South China Sea this week. The RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft flew off the Chinese island of Hainan on Tuesday and approached 55 miles from mainland China.
The prank was revealed on Twitter by a Chinese government-run think tank, which provided enough details for independent verification.
Twitter account from the South China Sea Survey Initiative shared a couple of screenshots showing an RC-135W take off from Kadena Air Base, a United States Air Force base on the island of Okinawa. The plane flew southwest, following the Ryukyu island chain, past Taiwan, to roam off the coast of Hainan Island. “Data-reactid =” 21 “> The Twitter account from the South China Sea Survey Initiative shared a couple of screenshots showing an RC-135W take off from Kadena Air Base, a United States Air Force base on the island of Okinawa. The plane flew southwest, following the Ryukyu island chain, past Taiwan, to roam off the coast of Hainan Island.
Photo credit: Steffan Watkins
Aircraft sometimes transmit the wrong Mode S number, although that is usually an error by the aircraft operator. ICAO numbers are not supposed to be changed as this degrades overall confidence in the system. But the idea that someone’s finger slipped and AE01CE accidentally turned into 750548 seems extremely unlikely.
The RC-135W Rivet Joint is a converted Boeing 707 aircraft designed to collect electronic intelligence for later analysis. The Air Force describes the jet as follows:
The Rivet Joint modifications are primarily related to its suite of onboard sensors, which enables the mission team to detect, identify and geolocate signals across the electromagnetic spectrum. The mission team can then deliver the collected information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers through Rivet Joint’s extensive communications package.
It is unclear why the RC-135W flew where it did. The flight likely coincided with Chinese military exercises, probably air or naval, or even a missile test. It is also worth noting that China’s nuclear ballistic missile submarine force is based in Yulin on Hainan Island.
Steffan watkins, a Canadian open source intelligence researcher, says Popular mechanics: “data-reactid =” 42 “> It is also unclear why the RC-135W participated in the hoax. Steffan watkins, a Canadian open source intelligence researcher, says Popular mechanics:
“If reconnaissance is occurring outside sovereign airspace, there is no urgent need to engage in that kind of deception. It is perfectly legal and is done in full view of the coast of Russia, Syria and Crimea all the time; Literally every day there are RC-135s off the coast of Russia, with their transponders turned on and broadcasting exactly who they are. I cannot explain the difference with China. Why the difference in posture and emissions confusion? ”
The South Sea Probing Initiative, a China-based think tank whose advisory board includes serving officers from the People’s Liberation Army and the Chinese Navy, first announced the imitation. Still, the data appears to be correct. The announcement is likely to be a warning to the Pentagon that the Chinese military sees through deception and is watching bystanders.
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