The US Air Force is studying the addition of drone control to its RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft, a move that could dramatically boost the planes' intelligence‑gathering capacity. In the proposed system, drones would act as standoff sensors, collecting electronic, communications and radar data over high‑risk areas while the RC-135 remains at a safer distance. The capability would expand coverage and improve the survivability of manned aircraft. The RC-135 Rivet Joint fleet is a core element of America’s signals intelligence network, tasked with tracking, identifying and locating a wide range of radio, communications and radar emissions.