The E 3 Sentry Airborne Control System (AWACS)

The E-3 Sentry Airborne Control System (AWACS) aircraft is the principal aerial command and control aircraft of the United States Air Force. The AWACS, which is based on the commercial 707 aircraft, has a 30-foot-wide rotating radar dome that monitors a vast region for airborne threats and traffic.
The dome is suspended 11 feet (3.33 meters) above the fuselage by two struts and has a diameter of 30 feet (9.1 meters) and a thickness of six feet (1.8 meters). It has a radar component that enables surveillance over land or ocean from the surface of the Earth up into the stratosphere. More than 250 miles are covered by the radar's range (375.5 kilometers). By removing ground clutter returns that throw off other radar systems, this radar, when paired with an identification friend or foe, or IFF, subsystem, can look down to find, identify, and track low-flying enemy and ally aircraft.
Manufacturer: Boeing
USAF service Propulsion is provided by four Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-100A turbofan engines. flight crew of four at 360 miles per hour over 5,000 nautical miles, plus a mission team of 13 to 19 experts.
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The E-3 Sentry's radar and computer subsystems can collect and deliver wide-ranging and comprehensive combat information. This includes information on hostile aircraft and ships' positions and tracking, as well as the location and condition of allied flights and naval vessels. The data can be sent to large command and control centers in the backcountry or onboard ships.
The Sentry may provide direct intelligence for interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift, and close-air support for allied ground forces in support of air-to-ground operations. It can also help commanders of air operations get and keep control of air combat by giving them the information they need.
As an air defence system, the E-3 is able to detect, identify, and track hostile airborne units well beyond the borders of the United States or NATO nations. It may guide interceptor fighters towards certain hostile objectives. Experience has shown that the E-3 Sentry can help the military move around the world and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.
The E-3 can fly an eight-hour mission profile without refueling. It can go farther and last longer if it is refueled in flight and if it has a place for people to rest on board.
The Air Force has had the E-3 Sentry since 1977. There are 32 of these planes in the military right now.

[maysjake]

Why is it that this plane works just fine w/a giant RADAR in operation, but we can't have our cell phones on when traveling on commercial jets?