The radar system alone weighed over 35,000 pounds and cost over US$35 million (1960 dollars), making Rivet Amber both the heaviest C-135-derivative aircraft flying and the most expensive Air Force aircraft for its time.
Alene flyets radarsystem vejede over 14 ton og kostede over 35 millioner USD (1960-værdi), hvorved Rivet Amber var både den tungeste C-135-variant samt det dyreste amerikanske fly i sin tid.