Despite the outsized contribution of the E-3, its specifications are rather modest for a military aircraft.
The E-3 Sentry is arguably the most recognizable and widely used AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft in existence. The E-3 was developed in the United States, but has since been exported to France, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia. It plays a vital role in modern air operations by providing surveillance, command and control, and airspace management.
Built in conjunction between Boeing, which built the airframe from the Boeing 707 civilian aircraft, and Northrop Grumman, which designed the radar system, the E-3 first flew in 1975. But the aircraft’s days are numbered, and have been for many years. A replacement is already under development—and the Pentagon has tried to accelerate it as much as possible, given the E-3’s increasing woes.
All About the E-3 AWACS
Without question, the E-3’s defining feature is the rotating radar dome sitting atop the fuselage. Offering 360-degree coverage, the dome can detect aircraft at a range of up to 250 miles away. This means that one could put an AWACS in the sky above Connecticut and it would detect aircraft in the skies from New York City to Boston to Philadelphia—vital for improving the fog of war.
In addition to its impressive range, the radar dome can also track over 600 targets at once, including low-flying aircraft that could likely evade ground radar.
Once the E-3 is in possession of the radar information it has accumulated, the crew can coordinate air operations, including fighter interception, airspace deconfliction, and strike coordination. The E-3 has the rare ability to direct combat aircraft to their targets in real time and can even serve as an airborne air traffic control center in combat zones.
The E-3 pulls off its sophisticated communication requirements with a variety of equipment, including VHF-UHF radios, satellite comms, and data links like the Link 16—all of which allows the E-3 to serve as a relay between airborne, naval, and ground units.
Strategically, the E-3 serves to maintain air superiority by enhancing the abilities of jet fighters to maintain dominance; to act as a force multiplier, by enhancing the effectiveness of all air and ground forces; as a missile defense system, by providing early detection of enemy aircraft or missiles; and as a surveillance and reconnaissance assets, capable of tracking enemy movement in contested airspace.
The E-3 Is Falling Apart at the Seams
Despite the outsized contribution of the E-3, its specifications are rather modest for a military aircraft. Powered by four Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-100A turbofan engines, the E-3 can achieve top speeds of 500 miles per hour, typically cruising at 460 miles per hour. The E-3 has an operational range of 4,600 miles without refueling, meaning it can remain in the sky for about eight hours. With refueling, it can stay aloft beyond 24 hours.
But the sun is setting on the E-3 program. As the planes grow older, their maintenance needs increase. Moreover, it is increasingly difficult to find replacement parts for the venerable aircraft, given that the Boeing 707 has not been manufactured since 1978 and has not been used in civilian service anywhere in the world since 2013.
America’s E-7 Wedgetail—under development by Boeing—is set to replace the E-3. Based on the far more popular and enduring Boeing 737 airframe, the E-7 features a Multirole Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, offering superior tracking and coverage without the need for the E-3’s rotating dome. The benefit of the E-7, relative to the E-3, is improved reliability and reduced maintenance. The E-7 promises to be the world’s preeminent AWACS aircraft once it arrives—but until it does, the E-3 will need to hang on a little longer.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
