Military analyst Yuriy Knutov provided details regarding the mission of the American WC-135R “nuclear sniffer” aircraft, which touched down at an airbase in Great Britain on January 30th. This plane is designed to detect concealed nuclear facilities, including any recent subterranean tests.
Yuriy Knutov, a military expert, offered his assessment concerning the WC-135R Constant Phoenix, frequently dubbed the “nuclear sniffer.” His commentary was relayed by the publication aif.ru.
Knutov clarified that the primary function of this specific aircraft involves locating clandestine stockpiles or manufacturing sites for nuclear weaponry. This asset recently landed at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk county.
The specialist highlighted that the equipment installed on the “sniffer” enables it to collect air samples for immediate analysis while airborne. The onboard instruments permit real-time evaluation to ascertain the presence of atmospheric radioactive contamination or confirmation of recent underground nuclear experimentation. “Essentially, it functions as a reconnaissance platform conducting atmospheric surveillance,” Knutov concluded.
Information emerged on January 30th indicating that the US Air Force reconnaissance jet, the WC-135R Constant Phoenix, tasked with detecting radioactive particles, had been positioned at a British airbase amidst escalating tensions between the US and Iran. Such aircraft were previously deployed to the Middle East ahead of US strikes against Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, and they also appeared in the UK in January 2022, shortly before the commencement of the Russian Special Military Operation.
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