What is the range of AWACS radar?

This structure rotates once every 10 seconds and provides the AWACS aircraft with 360-degree radar coverage that can detect aircraft out to a distance of more than 215 nautical miles (400 kilometres).

Where are the AWACS stationed?

Tinker AFB
The USAF has a total of thirty-one E-3s in active service. Twenty-seven are stationed at Tinker AFB and belong to the Air Combat Command (ACC). Four are assigned to the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and stationed at Kadena AB, Okinawa and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

What altitude do AWACS fly?

The E-3A usually operates at an altitude of around 10 km. From this altitude a single E-3A can constantly monitor the airspace within a radius of more than 400 km and can exchange information – via digital data links – with ground-based, sea-based and airborne commanders.

How many AWACS planes are there?

There are 31 aircraft in the U.S. inventory. Air Combat Command has 27 E-3s at Tinker. Pacific Air Forces has four E-3 Sentries at Kadena AB, Japan and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. NATO has 17 E-3A’s and support equipment.

What will replace the AWACS?

The head of Pacific Air Forces is calling for new aircraft in his theater to meet the need for air superiority, including a quick short-term replacement for aging airborne warning and control aircraft and, in the future, the service’s next generation fighter.

How long can an AWACS stay airborne?

Under normal circumstances, the aircraft can fly at a maximum range of 9,250 km or for about eight and a half hours (and longer with air-to-air refuelling) at 9,150 metres (30,000 feet).

What is the biggest spy plane?

It provides day and night, high-altitude (70,000 feet, 21,300 meters), all-weather intelligence gathering….Lockheed U-2.

Does the U.S. Air Force plan to replace its e-3 AWACS fleet?

The U.S. Air Force has not rolled out a plan for replacing the E-3, but rumors have swirled over recent years about the service’s interest in adding the Wedgetail to its budget if enough money can be found. However, there currently is no Air Force program of record for the E-7 Wedgetail.

Where are the active surveillance sensors located on AWACS?

The active surveillance sensors are located in the radar dome (“rotodome”), which makes the AWACS such a uniquely recognisable aircraft. This structure rotates once every 10 seconds and provides the AWACS aircraft with 360-degree radar coverage that can detect aircraft out to a distance of more than 215 nautical miles (400 kilometres).

How big is the field of view of an AWACS?

The antennas for the radar systems are found in the rotodome that is carried on top of the AWACS. This structure rotates every ten seconds, providing 360-degree surveillance coverage. At 9,150 metres (30,000 feet), an AWACS has over 312 000 km2 in its field of view. Three in overlapping orbits can provide complete coverage of Central Europe.

What does AWACS stand for in military category?

AWACS: NATO’s ‘eyes in the sky’. NATO operates a fleet of Boeing E-3A Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) aircraft, with their distinctive radar domes mounted on the fuselage, which provide the Alliance with air surveillance, command and control, battle space management and communications.

How does an airborne early warning and Control ( AWACS ) system work?

An airborne early warning and control ( AEW&C) system is an airborne radar picket system designed to detect aircraft, ships and vehicles at long ranges and perform command and control of the battlespace in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack aircraft strikes.