The E-3
Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides
all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by
commanders of U.S., NATO and other allied air defense forces. As proven in
Operation Allied Force, it is the premier air battle command and control
aircraft in the world today.
The E-3
Sentry is a modified Boeing 707/320 commercial airframe with a rotating radar
dome. The dome is 30 feet (9.1 meters) in diameter, six feet (1.8 meters) thick,
and is held 14 feet (4.2 meters) above the fuselage by two struts. It contains a
radar subsystem that permits surveillance from the Earth's surface up into the
stratosphere, over land or water. The radar has a range of more than 250 miles
(375.5 kilometers) for low-flying targets and farther for aerospace vehicles
flying at medium to high altitudes. The radar combined with an identification
friend or foe subsystem can look down to detect, identify and track enemy and
friendly low-flying aircraft by eliminating ground clutter returns that confuse
other radar systems.
The E-3
fleet will complete its largest upgrade in 2001. Known as the Block 30/35
Modification Program, the upgrade includes four enhancements:
Other
major subsystems in the E-3 are navigation, communications and computers (data
processing). Consoles display computer-processed data in graphic and tabular
format on video screens. Console operators perform surveillance, identification,
weapons control, battle management and communications
functions.
The
radar and computer subsystems on the E-3 Sentry can gather and present broad and
detailed battlefield information. Data is collected as events occur. This
includes position and tracking information on enemy aircraft and ships, and
location and status of friendly aircraft and naval vessels. The information can
be sent to major command and control centers in rear areas or aboard ships. In
time of crisis, this data can be forwarded to the National Command Authorities
in the United States.
In
support of air-to-ground operations, the Sentry can provide direct information
needed for interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift and close-air support for
friendly ground forces. It can also provide information for commanders of air
operations to gain and maintain control of the air battle.
As an
air defense system, E-3s can detect, identify and track airborne enemy forces
far from the boundaries of the United States or NATO countries. It can direct
fighter-interceptor aircraft to these enemy targets.
Experience has proven that
the E-3 Sentry can respond quickly and effectively to a crisis and support
worldwide military deployment operations. It is a jam-resistant system that has
performed missions while experiencing heavy electronic
countermeasures.
With
its mobility as an airborne warning and control system, the Sentry has an
greater chance of surviving in warfare than a fixed, ground-based radar system.
Among other things, the flight path can quickly be changed according to mission
and survival requirements. The E-3 can fly a mission profile for more than 8
hours without refueling. Its range and on-station time can be increased through
inflight refueling and the use of an on-board crew rest
area.
The
aircraft are used as a surveillance asset in support of counter drug missions.
U.S. Customs Service officers may fly aboard the E-3 Sentry on precoordinated
missions to detect smuggling activities.
Engineering, test and
evaluation began on the first E-3 Sentry in October 1975. In March 1977 the
552nd Airborne Warning and Control Wing (now 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker Air
Force Base, Okla.), received the first E-3s.
Air
Combat Command has 28 E-3s at Tinker, two at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and one at
Kadena AB, Japan. Pacific Air Forces has four E-3 Sentries assigned to the 961st
Airborne Air Control Squadron (AACS), Kadena AB and the 962nd AACS, Elmendorf
AFB.
NATO
has acquired 17 E-3A's and support equipment. The first E-3 was delivered to
NATO in January 1982. The United Kingdom has seven E-3s, France has four, and
Saudi Arabia has five. Japan has four 767 AWACS.
E-3
Sentry aircraft were among the first to deploy during Operation Desert Shield
where they immediately established an around-the-clock radar screen to defend
against Iraqi aggression. During Desert Storm, E-3s flew more than 400 missions
and logged more than 5,000 hours of on-station time. They provided radar
surveillance and control to more than 120,000 coalition sorties. In addition to
providing senior leadership with time-critical information on the actions of
enemy forces, E-3 controllers assisted in 38 of the 40 air-to-air kills recorded
during the conflict.
The
data collection capability of the E-3 radar and computer subsystems allowed an
entire air war to be recorded for the first time in the history of aerial
warfare.
In
March 1996, the Air Force activated the 513th Air Control Group, an AWACS
Reserve Associate Program unit, which performs duties on active-duty
aircraft.
During
the spring of 1999, the first AWACS aircraft went through the Radar System
Improvement Program. RSIP is a joint U.S./NATO development program that involves
a major hardware and software-intensive modification to the existing radar
system. Installation of RSIP will enhance the operational capability of the E-3
radar electronic counter-measures, and dramatically improve the system's
reliability, maintainability and availability. U.S. installation is RSIP is
scheduled for completion in fiscal 2004.
Primary
Function: Airborne surveillance,
command, control and communications
Builder: Boeing Aerospace
Co.
Power Plant: Four Pratt and Whitney TF33-PW-100A turbofan
engines
Thrust: 21,000 pounds (9,450 kilograms) each
engine
Length: 145 feet, 6 inches (44 meters)
Wingspan: 130
feet, 10 inches (39.7 meters)
Height: 41 feet, 4 inches (12.5
meters)
Rotodome: 30 feet in diameter (9.1 meters), 6 feet thick (1.8
meters),
mounted 11 feet (3.33 meters) above fuselage
Speed:
Optimum cruise 360 mph (Mach 0.48)
Ceiling: Above 29,000 feet
(8,788 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 347,000 pounds (156,150
kilograms)
Endurance: More than 8 hours (unrefueled)
Unit
Cost: Approximately $300 million
Crew: Flight crew of four plus
mission crew of 13-19 specialists
(mission crew size varies according to
mission)
Date Deployed: March 1977
Inventory: Active force,
33; Reserve, 0; Guard, 0