US brings out rare nuclear sniffer jet amid Iran-Israel war

The U.S. Air Force has deployed its rare WC-135R "Constant Phoenix" aircraft, known as the "nuclear sniffer," amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, particularly following reports of Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran’s threats of retaliation. The WC-135R is the only airborne platform globally dedicated to atmospheric collection missions under the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963. Operated by the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron and supported by the Air Force Technical Applications Center, the aircraft is equipped with specialized sensors and sampling devices to detect radioactive particles and gases, enabling the U.S. to monitor nuclear detonations or radiological incidents worldwide. The WC-135R's capabilities include flying at altitudes up to 40,000 feet with a range exceeding 4,000 nautical miles, allowing it to conduct extended surveillance missions over diverse regions. Historically, the Constant Phoenix series has played a critical role in nuclear monitoring since the Cold War, including detecting Soviet nuclear