File:E-3_Sentry_Airborne_Warning_and_Control_System_(AWACS)_conducts_a_mission.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Boeing E-3 Sentry
Sign in to saveAlso known as E3 Sentry, AWACS, E-3 Sentry
airborne early warning aircraft family
Key facts
- Type
- Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C)
- National origin
- United States
- Manufacturer
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security
- Status
- In service
- Primary users
- United States Air Force NATO , Royal Air Force (retired) , Royal Saudi Air Force
- Manufactured
- 1977–1992
- Introduction date
- March 1977
- First flight
- EC-137D: 9 February 1972 , E-3: 25 May 1976
- Retired
- 2021 (RAF)
- Developed from
- Boeing 707
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- 060610-SKP-E-3-01.jpg
- Length
- 46.61
Show 10 more facts
- wingspan
- 44.42
- wing area
- 283.4
- Commons category
- Boeing E-3 Sentry
- Commons gallery
- E-3 Sentry
- vehicle range
- 5000
- first flight
- 1972-02-09
- total produced
- 68
- service entry
- 1977-03-00
- maximum operating altitude
- 29000
- cruise speed
- 360
Sources (8)
via Wikidata · CC0
~32 min read
Article
The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an American airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft developed by Boeing. E-3s are commonly known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System). Derived from the Boeing 707 airliner, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force, NATO, French Air and Space Force, Royal Saudi Air Force and Chilean Air Force. The E-3 has a 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's 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.