WASHINGTON, Oct 6 : The US air force has deployed an advanced electronic surveillance aircraft to southwestern Asia to aid the hunt for Osama bin Laden and gather intelligence on Taliban forces on the ground.

The RC-135 Rivet Joint is equipped to detect, identify and pinpoint the location of electronic signals, including radio communications or radar emissions, in near real time.

The data can be transmitted to AWACS airborne surveillance aircraft, ground commanders or into intelligence channels via satellite.

A mission crew of 21 to 27 people analyses intelligence in flight and can broadcast threat warnings to directly to aircraft in imminent danger.

The mission crew includes a three electronic warfare officers, at least 14 intelligence specialists and four technicians.

It has a five-member flight crew, including three pilots and two navigators. Powered by four jet engines, they can stay aloft for up to 11 hours at a time — or up to 20 hours with air refueling.

The United States has 14 of the aircraft, which have been in the US inventory since 1960s and have served in every major conflict since the Vietnam War.

It was not known how many have been deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom.—AFP