Boeing E-3 Sentry: Declassifying America's Ultimate Spyplane

Uncover the secrets of America's ultimate spy plane, the Boeing E-3 Sentry! Join us as we declassify its hidden features, cutting-edge technology, and its pivotal role in global intelligence operations.

Simon's Social Media:

Love content? Check out Simon's other YouTube Channels:

[jamesbaldwin]

I was an avionics technician on the E-3 from 1988-1998. The sense of pride for this aircraft runs pretty deep and its with a heavy heart that I report the retirtement of this beloved aircraft has already begun with the retirement of 13 aircraft in 2023. This is because this weapons platform has become combersome to support with its aging parts so some had to die so others could live. The replacement with be the E-7 Wedgetail built by Boeing and its supposed to be operational sometime around 2027. It will be a very sad day when the last E-3 is retired to the Tucson boneyard having proudly served this country for 50 years. The E-3 will live on in our hearts and in our minds as long as we live.

[SonOfAB_tchndClass]

Less a spy plane and more of a Military grade Airborne Air Traffic Controller

[andyronayne]

The Lockheed EC-121s were not retired in the early 1960’s, and were actually used extensively in Southeast Asia between 16 April 1965, and 1 June 1974, particularly in support of Operation Rolling Thunder and Operation Linebacker/Linebacker II, providing radar early warning and limited airborne control of USAF fighter forces.

[dwaynne_way]

This has become my favourite channel on YouTube, I have learnt so much watching your videos. Thank you Simon

[VisibilityFoggy]

Its replacement has already been purchased: the E-7A Wedgetail. It was developed by Boeing Australia for an AUS replacement and then taken up by the UK. The U.S. announced it, too, would purchase the Wedgetail as the E-3 replacement recently. It's based on the Boeing 737NG (not MAX) airliner.

[admcstabby]

Got to tour an AWACS down range one time as my squadron was in a similar category. Made the tech we had look like 1980's cell phones, mindblowing stuff. We also used to call it the Spy M&M.

[danielpantalia]

I grew up right next to Tinker & saw these flying over on nearly a daily basis they're awesome!

[klacklery]

Would love to see something on the RC135 class of aircraft, absolutely incredible machines

[willdsm]

What comes next is the E-7 Wedgetail. Built for the Royal Australian Air Force by Boeing and Northrop Grumman, it is currently operational with Australia, South Korea, and Turkey. This aircraft will also operate with the RAF, the USAF, and many other Air Forces. It is a direct replacement for the aging E3, but far more capable.

[danieltaylor]

The building that they do the major maintenance on the E-3 is also the building in which over half of the C-47s were built during WW2.

[jaycooper]

The United States and Australia are currently developing a new replacement for the E-3 based on the Boeing 737-800 series airframe that is supposed to be able to do everything the larger plane can do and even more. The Navy has also replaced the P-3 Orion anti submarine and surveillance aircraft with the P-8 Poseidon aircraft which is also a 737-800 derived surveillance aircraft.

[brianellison]

Very cool video.
My dad, working in Special Projects Aero Space, as a non design tool maker got to head up the building of the master molds for the dish segments. I got to tour the plant with my dad a few years after and saw a couple of unfinished prototype segments and he showed me his tooling number stamps on them. We had a couple models of the plane at our house.
He was also in on the moldings for the spars on the Hydrofoil. Had models of that too.
Have fun, thanks for the memories. Miss my dad.

[jadeboswell-rzly]

When you look at the E-3C(plus nato variants)you more think of the
C3's command, control and communications( basically an airborne battlefield command centre)And being based at AFB Tinker alongside the E-4. Makes it more of a info gathering platform. Especially as it gains intelligence from other platforms such as the E-6, E-8, E-11, RC-12, RC-135U, V, W( U-2's senior spear and C-span generally working through there own C3). In fact the E-3 generally relays data through the C-span U-2 due to near time delay in a combat theatre's.

[bldghrt]

I worked on this plane in the Airforce at Tinker AFB. No one I know that worked on it ever thought of it as a spy plane. It is a mobile radar and control platform. Not sure I can say much else with out violating an NDA. Great pictures of the old consoles though. The whole fleet was getting ready to be upgraded when I separated in '07.

[patmcbride]

I used to repair the AWACS power supplies at McClellan AFB.
My shop also repaired the high voltage power supplies used for the radar.

[jarrodsutterfield]

As an Oklahoman I've spent my whole life seeing these planes everywhere. Also tinker airforce base is an amazing place.

[JiroVaoCraft]

Did we really start this conversation with the USN and the Warning Star, then COMPLETELY gloss over the plane that "Actually" replaced it, that being the EP-3 Aries. What a disservice to Naval Aviation! 😮🎉

[indyjons]

E-3 “Spyplane”
R135: “This is a joke, right?”

[khurram]

The easiest way to manage your money is to take it one step at a time and not worry about being perfect😊

[fliernate]

I flew on this plane for 10 years, did 2 different jobs in it, loved every minute! And they use the TF-33 engine, the same engine that is being replaced on the B-52s…