The E-3’s sensitive Doppler radar’s pulse can detect and track small targets over a long range.
Boeing has continually upgraded the NATO AWACS fleet, since it began service in 1982.
Under the Block 40/45 program, Boeing will increase the AWACS’ mission execution capability, effectiveness and reliability while lowering lifecycle costs.
Boeing is upgrading the flight deck of one NATO AWACS and one U.S. AWACS under an engineering, manufacturing and development contract.
Japan’s four E-767 AWACS aircraft use combat-proven mission systems to fill the needs of both airborne surveillance and command and control.
Technical Specifications
Airframe
737-700 increased gross weight (IGW) airframe
Radar
Northrop Grumman “MESA” electronically scanned array radar system with 360 degrees/Air and Maritime modes/200 + nmi range/All Weather
IFF
300 nmi
System Architecture
Open
Consoles
Open
Operational ceiling
41,000 ft
Range
3,500 nmi
Flight Crew
2
Mission Crew
6 to 10
Airframe Span
145 ft, 9 in (44.43 m)
Airframe Length
152 ft, 11 in (46.62 m)
Radome Height
41 ft, 9 in (12.5 m)
Radome Thickness
6 ft (1.8 m)
Radome Diameter
30 ft. (9.1 m)
Speed
500 mph (800 kmh)
Ceiling
35,000 ft (10,670 m)
Endurance
More than 11 hrs unrefueled
Range
More than 5,000 nmi (9,250 km)
Max. Takeoff Weight
335,000 lbs (151,955 kg)
Boeing’s command and control aircraft expertise extends back to 1977, when it first modified a 707 aircraft for the United States. Since then, the company has provided Australia, France, Japan, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom with advanced solutions based on proven commercial variants.
