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Boeing E-3 Sentry

Boeing E-3 Sentry USAF

The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an American airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft developed by Boeing on the basis of the Beoing 707 aircraft which is equipped with an APY2 radar on board. The E-3 is commonly known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System). The aircraft provides all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force (USAF), NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the French Air and Space Force, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), and the Air Force. Chilean Air (FACh).

In 1963, the US Air Force (USAF) was looking for an aircraft to replace the piston-engined Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star which had been in service for more than a decade. Contracts were issued to three companies, namely Boeing, Douglas, and Loockheed to compete in the AWACS program. But ultimately Boeing was chosen as the winner. In 1967, a parallel program was implemented to develop radar, bringing together two companies, namely Westinghouse and Hughes, to compete in producing radar systems.

After competition between the appointed companies, Boeing was chosen to make two aircraft prototypes, namely the EC-137D with two different radars from Westinghouse and Hughes for radar testing. The USAF selected a radar from Westinghouse for use in production aircraft. A year later, the AWACS development contract on a production scale was approved for production.

The first USAF E-3 was delivered in March 1977, and over the next seven years, a total of 34 aircraft were produced. E-3s were also purchased by NATO (18 aircraft), the UK (7 aircraft), France (4 aircraft) and Saudi Arabia (5 aircraft).

Boeing E-3A Sentry (NATO)

E-3 Sentry NATO

NATO acquired 18 E-3As with the first aircraft delivered in January 1982. The aircraft was registered in Luxembourg. Eighteen E-3s are operated by Numbers 1, 2 and 3 Squadrons, based at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.

NATO E-3s participated in Operation Eagle Assist following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) towers and the Pentagon. NATO and RAF E-3s participated in the military intervention in Libya.

From January 2011 to September 2014, NATO E-3s deployed to Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport, Afghanistan, as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. This aircraft is used for air traffic control of military aircraft throughout the country, as well as surveillance and tactical management of friendly aircraft. During missions to Afghanistan, the NATO E-3 flew 1,240 missions and accumulated 12,240 flight hours.

Currently, 14 NATO E-3As are in inventory, as one E-3 was lost in an accident and three were retired from service in 2015, 2017, and 2018. The first is scheduled to undergo cycle six Depot Level Maintenance (DLM) inspections that year will be very expensive. The “449 Retirement Project” resulted in the reclamation of critical parts worth over $40 million that will be used to support the remaining active aircraft. Some of the parts that will be removed are no longer available on the market or have become very expensive.

CONTROL&FUNCTION

Flight Control: Normal
AG1: * Activate Radar
AG2: Air Brake
AG3: Reverse Thrust
AG4: Landing Lights & Navigation Lights
AG5:
AG6:
AG7: Activate Jamming/ Electronic Counter Measure (ECM)
VTOL Down: Flaps
Yaw: Nose Wheel Steer*

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