Originally Posted by
Easy Street
And the Airseeker is called a Rivet Joint by everyone I’ve ever talked to (admittedly none from 51 Sqn though). I don’t think there’s any rhyme or reason to it.
The replacement aircraft for the Nimrod R1 was procured under "Project Airseeker", leading to the choice of the RC-135 "Rivet Joint. As such, the project people referred to the aircraft as "Airseeker" and the name somewhat stuck at various HQs. As you say, everyone calls it the RJ or Rivet Joint except just a few.