E-3 fills the needs of both airborne surveillance and command and control (C2) functions for tactical and air defense forces. It provides a highly mobile, survivable surveillance and C2 platform.
The E-3 AWACS is simply a commercial Boeing 707/320B airframe modified with the distinctive radome that houses a pulse-Doppler radar capable of detecting aircraft and cruise missiles, the E3 look-down radar has a 360-degree view of the horizon, and at operating altitudes has a range of more than 320 km.
One E-3A flying at 30,000 ft / 9,150 m has over 312,000 kmē in its field of view.
The radar can detect and track air and sea targets simultaneously.
Recent developments:
Sep. 10th, 2008 | Boeing Completes Mission System Flight Testing for US AWACS Block 40/45 UpgradeSEATTLE, Sept. 10, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has completed mission system flight testing for Block 40/45, the largest upgrade in the history of the U.S. E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet.
During a 15-month period from April 2007 to July 2008, Boeing and the Air Force's Joint Test Force flew missions aboard Test System 3, an AWACS test aircraft, to complete the System Design and Development program.
"Test data indicate the Block 40/45 system meets or exceed...
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Jul. 8th, 2008 | Boeing to Demo Net-Centric Upgrade on AWACS Aircraft
ST. LOUIS, July 08, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has integrated network-centric capabilities into two operational U.S. Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft for a demonstration at Empire Challenge 2008, a joint military exercise being held July 7 through Aug. 1 in China Lake, Calif. The modifications were completed in early June, followed by operator training and a pre-exercise test flight.
The two AWACS aircraft, part of the U.S. Air Force's fleet of 32, are assigned...
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Jun. 20th, 2008 | Korea, U.S. join forces for Exercise Max Thunder
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) -- Airmen and aircraft from units across the Pacific Air Forces descended June 16 to participate in Exercise Max Thunder here.
Hosted by Kunsan Air Base officials, Max Thunder is a bi-lateral training exercise intended to increase interoperability between Korean and U.S. forces. The exercise will conclude June 20.
"We live here together ... we will go together. It's important that we exercise together," said Col. J. Bryan Bearden, the 8th Fighter Wing c...
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Dec. 1st, 2007 | General focuses on mission, future of AWACS
- HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The E-3 Airborne Early Warning and Control System and its crews have led the way into battle many times in the past and are achieving combat excellence today, the commander of the nation's only AWACS flying wing said here Nov. 27.
The focus now, however, is on the future, Brig. Gen. Lori Robinson told members of Electronic Systems Center's 551st Electronic Systems Group during an all-hands call in the O'Neill Auditorium. The 551st ELSG is responsible for su...
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Sep. 20th, 2007 | Boeing Awarded $49.2 Million Contract to Upgrade Saudi AWACS Fleet
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 20, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a $49.2 million contract, including options, to upgrade communications aboard Saudi Arabia's fleet of five E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., awarded the contract under a foreign military sales agreement.
The enhancement, known as Link 16, is a secure, jam-resistant, digital data link that allows military aircraft,...
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- Airmen support NATO AWACS operations
- Boeing Awarded $20.6 Million Contract for AWACS RF Antennas
- AWACS awaits essential upgrades
- Australia Embraces Net-Centric Warfighting
- ISR Miracles, at a Reasonable Price
- Successful 'World-First' Test of Airborne Early Warning Radar
- UK Selects Northrop as Preferred Bidder for E-3D AWACS Support Contract Valued at Approximately $1.19 Billion
Specifications
| Version | E-3A |
| Length | 145ft 44m |
| Height | 41.4ft 12.5m |
| Wingspan | 130.1ft 39.7m |
View all the specs and compare them with other aircraft!
E-3 Sentry AWACS Videos | 21 Videos Available!
First 5 videos, click to go to the E-3 Sentry AWACS video gallery:
This page was last updated on: 2006-02-01
