Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS | Eyes of the Skies

The Boeing E-3 Sentry, commonly known as AWACS, is an American airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft developed by Boeing. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force, NATO, Royal Air Force, French Air Force, and Royal Saudi Air Force. The E-3 is distinguished by the distinctive rotating radar dome (rotodome) above the fuselage. Production ended in 1992 after 68 aircraft had been built.

In the mid-1960s, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) was seeking an aircraft to replace its piston-engined Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star, which had been in service for over a decade. After issuing preliminary development contracts to three companies, the USAF picked Boeing to construct two airframes to test Westinghouse Electric and Hughes's competing radars. Both radars used pulse-Doppler technology, with Westinghouse's design emerging as the contract winner. Testing on the first production E-3 began in October 1975.

The first USAF E-3 was delivered in March 1977, and during the next seven years, a total of 34 aircraft were manufactured. NATO, as a single identity, also had 18 aircraft manufactured, basing them in Germany. The E-3 was also sold to the United Kingdom (seven) and France (four) and Saudi Arabia (five, plus eight E-3-derived tanker aircraft).

In 1991, when the last aircraft had been delivered, E-3s participated in the Persian Gulf War, playing a crucial role of directing coalition aircraft against Iraqi forces. Throughout the aircraft's service life, numerous upgrades were performed to enhance its capabilities. In 1996, Westinghouse Electric's Defense & Electronic Systems division was acquired by Northrop Corporation, before being renamed Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, which currently supports the E-3's radar.

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Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS | Eyes of the Skies

[jessnawoods]

Former AWACS aircrew member here (2003-2006)... thanks for showing our old gals some love!!! I miss flying so much!!!

[DokutahShikikanSensei]

AWACS Long Caster: "Sorry but I'm gonna eat while I work. My judgement goes fuzzy when I'm too hungry"

[TheNinjaDC]

And to think, the US and French navies can deploy a mini e3 with their E2 Hawkeyes, giving ridiculous radar coverage/dominance at sea.
This is why carrier catapults are so important, *glares at Royal Navy*

[WillyK]

I got to fly on an E-3 during a training mission while I was stationed at Nellis AFB back in the eighties. We flew in a large circle about three hundred miles from the range north of Las Vegas. It was amazing watching all of the action on the range while tracking dozens of aircraft. The capabilities of the E-3 are very impressive.

[johnmarsh]

Another shining example of the versatility of the Boeing 707 airframe. The AWACS is an awesome aircraft with amazing capabilities.

[chrisspencer]

One of the more interesting sides of the AWACS is how the radar was used to find scuds during the first gulf war.

[topshum]

"la la LAA, listen to our beautiful voice. This is AWACS Oka Nieba, that would mean Skyeye in your language"

[BusterBuizel]

I’m gonna eat while I work, my judgement gets a little fuzzy if I’m too hungry. Trigger your call sign is Strider 1.

[cgilby]

Personally one of my favorite and most interesting aircraft of all time. Want to work on one when I’m older.

[TheLiamster]

When I was a kid I thought the E3 looked like an airliner being attacked by a flying saucer.

[robertshrum]

I really enjoyed my time as an E-3 Flight Engineer. Had some interesting flights, with a few, scary instances.

[zxbzxbzxb]

Remember one of these flew overhead when my family was on the way to visit my grandparents in Berkshire in the late ''80s. Was only about 5 at the time but it left an impression

[Jonas-uhbb]

Damn what coincidence... I'm from Germany and guess which aircraft was doing training above us today... Simply amazing

[ingridmace]

This brings me so much nostalgia from ace combat 6...

[thehunterstruck]

Used to pass by Tinker AFB all the time and would watch these bad boys. I live in Tulsa now and live on the flight path for Tulsa International Airport which is also crossed as an air force base so there always a lot of different planes coming in. An E-3 flew over the other day and is the absolute LOUDEST I’ve ever heard apart from the fighters absolutely loved it

[justandy]

Ahh thats a blast from the past, F22 Lightning II, I spent hours and hours on that game! Several missions include defending your own E3 and going after the enemy A50 Mainstay.

Those missions were hard! The friendly E3 would just fly headlong into an armada of fighters! And expects you to keep him safe. Good bit of nostalgia!

[grumpysowhat]

A fun aircraft to work on. I was a flightline controller and then a controller in maintenance control. Went to NATO-OTAN and crewed nato 1 (442) for three years, 1982-1985. To be honest, that was a blast!

[Hollow]

About 2-3 years ago I went on a holiday and it just so happens that I look out the window and see one of these coming above the plane I was in, I'd say it was no further than 1km away. Coolest thing I've ever seen

[ericbainter]

I spent the first 10 years of my career supporting the E-3, first with the 552nd at Tinker then with the NATO E-3A Component at Geilenkirchen. Great people and experiences with both.

E-3 and E-8 info gets mushed together a bit in the narration. The E-3s were new airframes when acquired. The E-8s were based on used 707 airframes, which probably gave their configuration management nightmares. One of the guys in the JSTARS program office told me they bought the very last brand new 707 built by Boeing — and traded it for 5 used 707s.

That NATO paint job is sharp.

[LectroAce]

Someone says a word:
Litterally no one:
AWACS Bandog


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