U.S. Military Aircraft Capable of Detecting Nuclear Activities Spotted Heading to Indian Ocean

U.S. Military Aircraft Capable of Detecting Nuclear Activities Spotted Heading to Indian Ocean

A United States Air Force WC-135R “Constant Phoenix,” a specialized aircraft designed to detect nuclear activity, has been spotted flying toward the Indian Ocean, potentially for an air sampling mission. The aircraft’s mission is aligned with the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963, which prohibits nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater.

The Constant Phoenix, often called the “Nuke Sniffer,” can detect radioactive clouds by collecting particulate and gaseous effluents in real time. This capability allows it to monitor atmospheric samples globally, including in the Indian Ocean, as part of efforts to detect and analyze nuclear activity.

According to data from Flightradar24, the WC-135R departed from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on Thursday, stopping briefly in Honolulu, Hawaii, before reaching Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, where it remained for two days. The aircraft resumed its westward journey on Saturday, flying over various seas around the Philippines, including the South China Sea and Sulu Sea, before reaching the Andaman Sea and Indian Ocean.

The aircraft was last tracked heading southwest before the tracking signal was lost, possibly due to limited coverage in the area.

The U.S. Air Force has not issued a statement regarding the mission. Newsweek reported reaching out to Offutt Air Force Base, home to the Constant Phoenix fleet, for comment.

The WC-135R is part of a fleet of three atmospheric collection aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force since December 2023, playing a crucial role in ensuring compliance with international treaties and monitoring nuclear activity worldwide.