The E-3 Sentry is an AWACS (airborne warning and control system) platform, used to detect and monitor an enemy’s air activity and to direct fighters in engagement. AWACS operates as a mobile, airborne command, control, communications and intelligence headquarters, capable of high or low level surveillance.
The E-3 aircraft is a version of the Boeing 707-320B Airliner, first flight July 15, 1954.
The prototype of the AWACS series the EC-137D (71-1407) flew on February 5, 1972. The first E-3A Sentry (73-1675) made its maiden flight on October 31, 1975, and the first operational E-3A was delivered to the 552nd AWC wing at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma on March 24, 1977.
The E-3C Sentry carrying a crew of 20 consisting of pilot (aircraft commander), co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer and 16 AWACS mission specialists. The rear-cabin crew is under a mission crew commander, and includes weapon controllers, radar operators and communications specialists.
| Developing Nation: | United States |
| Task: | |
| First Flight: | – July 15th 1954 (Boeing 707)- February 5th 1972 (EC-137D)- October 31st 1975 (E-3A Sentry) |
| First Operational: | March 24th 1977 |
| Crew: | 20 |
| Wing Span: | 44,42 m |
| Length: | 46,61 m |
| Height: | 12,73 m |
| Engine (s): | Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-100/100A (4x) |
| Weight: | 77996 kg |
| Max.Take off weight: | 147420 kg |
| Max. Speed: | 853 km/h |
| Max. Range: | Radius 6 hour patrol without refueling 1609 km, Endurance without refueling more than 11 hours |
| Rotodome: | – Diameter: 9,14 m- Height: 1,83 m- Weight: 1540 kg |
| Radar: | – Westinghouse AN/APY-1/2 multi-mode surveillance radar, rotating at 6 rpm |
| E-3 Sentry operators: | |
| USAF, NATO, Saudi Arabia, RAF, France | – 34 E-3C- 18 E-3C- 13 KE-3A- 7 E-3D- 4 E-3F |
| E-3C Sentry in action |
| AWACS aircraft have been involved in all combat operations since March 1979. |
Photos Rob Vogelaar and Marcel van Leeuwen
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