E-3 Sentry

E-3 Sentry (Airborne Early Warning and Control – AEW&C) – 32

Manufacturer: Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Westinghouse Electric (radar)

First flight: 25 May 1976

Introduction: March 1977

Produced: 1977–1992

Number built: 68

Unit cost: $270 million (FY1998 constant dollars)

Developed from: Boeing 707

Commonly known as AWACS – Airborne Warning and Control System

Crew:

Flight crew – 4

Mission crew – 13-19

Length: 46.61 m

Wingspan: 44.42 m

Height: 12.6 m

Wing area: 283.4 m²

Empty weight: 73,480 kg

Loaded weight: 156,036 kg (with aerial refueling)

Max. takeoff weight: 157.397 kg

Powerplant: 4× Pratt and Whitney TF33-PW-100A turbofan, 9,483 kgf (93 kN) each

Maximum speed: 855 km/h

Range: 7,400 km (8 hr)

Service ceiling: 12,500 m

Its pulse-Doppler radar has a range of more than 400 km for low-flying targets at its operating altitude, and the pulse «beyond the horizon» radar has a range of approximately 650 km for aircraft flying at medium to high altitudes

E-3A: Production aircraft with TF33 engines and AN/APY-1 radar, built for USAF later converted to E-3B standard

E-3B: E-3As with improvements

E-3C: Production aircraft with AN/APY-2 radar, additional electronic consoles and system improvements

E-3G: USAF Block 40/45 modification