The Military Aircraft Hangar - Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS Fact Sheet


		Image Gallery Attack Aircraft Fighter Aircraft Bomber Aircraft Transport Aircraft Tanker Aircraft Recon Aircraft ECM Aircraft Trainer Aircraft Helicopters Fact Sheets Attack Aircraft Fighter Aircraft Bomber Aircraft Transport Aircraft Tanker Aircraft Recon Aircraft ECM Aircraft Trainer Aircraft Helicopters Other New Image Index Desktop Wallpaper History of TMAH Site Survey Site Disclaimer Contact TMAH Guestbook Sign Guestbook View Guestbook Links Aviation Links Submit Your Link Link to TMAH Back to Main				View the Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS Image Gallery. Most of the information in this fact sheet was obtained from the US Airforce site. All information is general and not varient specific. If you find some wrong information, or can add anything please e-mail me. Description The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by commanders of U.S. and NATO air defense forces. History and Features Engineering, test and evaluation began on the first E-3 Sentry in October 1975. In March 1977 the 552nd Airborne Warning and Control Wing (now 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.), received the first E-3s where they are still assigned. NATO has acquired 18 of the aircraft and support equipment. The first E-3 was delivered to NATO in January 1982. The United Kingdom has seven E-3s and France has four. E-3 Sentry aircraft were among the first to deploy during Operation Desert Shield where they immediately established an around-the-clock radar screen to defend against Iraqi aggression. During Desert Storm, E-3s flew more than 400 missions and logged more than 5,000 hours of on-station time. They provided radar surveillance and control to more than 120,000 coalition sorties. In addition to providing senior leadership with time-critical information on the actions of enemy forces, E-3 controllers assisted in 38 of the 40 air-to-air kills recorded during the conflict. General Characteristics Primary function: Airborne surveillance, command, control and communications Contractor: Boeing Power plant: Four Pratt and Whitney TF33-PW-100A turbofan engines Thrust:: 21,000 pounds each engine Wing span: 130 feet, 10 inches (39.7 meters) Length: 145 feet, 6 inches (44 meters) Height: 41 feet, 4 inches (12.5 meters) Speed: Optimum cruise 360 mph (Mach 0.48) Maximum takeoff weight:347,000 pounds (156,150 kilograms) Ceiling: Above 29,000 feet (8,788 meters) Range: 7,475 miles Crew: Flight crew of four plus mission crew of 13-19 specialists (mission crew size varies according to mission) Armament: None Unit Cost: $270 million Date deployed: March 1977