A short history of AWACS

Since at least the Vietnam War, an increasingly critical element of air combat has been the radar early warning system. As air combat evolved, engagement distances grew larger, and thus the necessity of accurate radar returns and warnings became just as important as sharp eyes. Today, radars and warning receivers are arguably the most important tools in air combat; great radars potentially reveal the most advanced stealth aircraft, and warning sensors alert the pilots to threats they cannot visually identify – you cannot succeed nor survive in the modern battlespace without these systems.

The ultimate radar package comes in the form of the Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, or AEWs. Often overlooked by the public, AEW crews often play a critical role in the outcome of air engagements, assisting pilots in the same way as ground controllers once did. Today, we look back at the history of AEW aircraft - or AWACS as people often refer to them - all the way up to our own RAAF’s E-7 Wedgetail, arguably the most advanced platform on the market today.

CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
01:13 Early History
03:49 Vickers Wellington
05:14 PO-1W
05:51 Vietnam War
06:23 Tu-126
06:40 E-1 Tracer E-2 Hawkeye
08:01 AWACS strategy in Vietnam
10:55 1970s
13:22 Today
15:18 E-7 Wedgetail

Corrections:
16:39 In the UK, the E-7 Mk1 is now the RAF’s successor to the E-3D Sentry

_____________ Disclaimer _____________
Original footage and recreated scenes (using DCS, War Thunder, etc) may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.

Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only.

The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.

[traveler]

Y’all do a truly incredible job. From presentation to historical videos you source the videos are always documentary quality. Quite honestly better than the documentary’s most of us grew up with.

[ComfortsSpecter]

Probably gonna be the best presentation of the subject on YouTube for awhile

Ofocurse, mostly because there’s very few Good competitors


Common Casual versus Proper Formal Literacy

Adorable lesson in how Practical Specification work

[alanhelton]

Such a well narrated and presented channel !

[janusz]

Boeing E-767 - the main AWACS in Ace Combat series. 30 years of Ace Combat series in 2025.

[rkc]

One of the best videos to date. Great work.

[benvandermerwe]

Great historical journalism and professional presentation. Thanks.

[mikegrew]

Hopefully Canada will acquire the wedgetail someday.

[dauvone.]

True work of art, keep up the good work

[petesheppard]

I was hoping to have heard more about the RN's helo-based AEW. Lacking conventional CATOBAR carriers, that's the only way they can have airborne radars at sea.

[auro]

they boost signals between satellites and aircrafts and army on ground

[rogerjohnson]

Excellent video again, sure hope the E-7 isn’t based on the MAX.

[mi]

we helped u making AWACS a signature term and a word to recon with ... though we didnt like it very much when spending summers with us :|

[tamzidkarim]

A day after Christmas of 2024, China just unveiled their upcoming KJ 3000 based on the Y 20 strategic airlifter, while the PLA navy is also gearing up for the carrier based KJ 600.

[Reachforitify]

"

" Several falling outs " thats so funny.

[Vansh-bg]

Hi why won't you make a video on upcoming weapons of India
We would love to watch that

[chandrachurniyogi]

the AWACS classification of special mission aircraft by the USAF is wholly inaccurate . . . Airborne Early Warning & Control or AEW&C is the actual correct term . . .

[oxcart]

Anyone else seen that Chinese AEW platform? Grumman should sue!

[jamesjross]

I didn't like Linebacker 2. Sequels are never as good as the original. I felt the same about Rocky.