<Ul> <Li> OC - 135B Open Skies </Li> </Ul> <Li> OC - 135B Open Skies </Li> <P> The reconnaissance aircraft of the USAF are used for monitoring enemy activity, originally carrying no armament . Although the U-2 is designated as a' utility' aircraft, it is a reconnaissance platform . The roles of the aircraft vary greatly among the different variants to include general monitoring (RC - 26B), Ballistic missile monitoring (RC - 135S), Electronic Intelligence gathering (RC - 135U), Signal Intelligence gathering (RC - 135V / W), and high altitude surveillance (U-2) </P> <P> Several unmanned remotely controlled reconnaissance aircraft (RPAs), have been developed and deployed . Recently, the RPAs have been seen to offer the possibility of cheaper, more capable fighting machines that can be used without risk to aircrews . </P>

Each military department—army navy and air force—is lead by its own