In The News:
- Boeing Awarded Production Contract for US Air Force AWACS Block 40/45 Upgrade
- Boeing Completes Communications and Air Traffic Management Upgrade for US Air Force AWACS Fleet
- Boeing-led Team Completes Major Upgrade for NATO AWACS Fleet
- Boeing Delivers Final Mission System Simulator for NATO AWACS Upgrade
- All News Releases
E-3 AWACS Overview
Based on a Boeing 707-320B airframe, the E-3 airborne warning and control system (AWACS) provides surveillance, command-and-control (C2), and communications functions for tactical and defensive missions. In service since 1977, it is used by the U.S. Air Force, NATO, United Kingdom, France, and Saudi Arabia.
Tactical and Defensive Mission Capabilities
The E-3 provides quick-reaction surveillance and C2 management for tactical and defensive missions.
- Detection, identification, tracking, and interception of hostile aircraft operating at low altitudes over all terrain
- Identification and control of friendly aircraft in the same airspace as hostile aircraft
The AWACS Mission System
The E-3 AWACS combines the following mission-system components: surveillance radar (housed in a rotating dome), navigation, communications, data processing, identification equipment, display equipment, and an airborne version of the IBM command-and-control multiprocessing computer.
- Look-down radar elements:
- Look-down radar antenna
- Identification friend-or-foe (IFF) antenna
- Data-link fighter-control (TADIL0C) antenna
- Look-down radar capabilities:
- 360-degree view of the horizon
- 200-mile range at operating altitudes
- Separation of airborne targets from ground and sea clutter signal returns that confuse other radars
- Simultaneous detection and tracking of air and sea targets
The Boeing 707-320B Airframe
The E-3 is a militarized Boeing 707-320B commercial jetliner.
- Fuel capacity 23,000 gallons
- Flight range over 5,000 miles, altitude over 35,000 feet
- Power options:
- Four TF-33, 21,000-pound-thrust jet engines (used by the U.S. and NATO)
- Four CFM-56 engines for higher performance (and altitude) operation that extends the surveillance horizon (used by France, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom)
For more information, read the E-3 AWACS (PDF) overview.
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