AWACS is an Airborne Warning And Control System aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications to the army, navy and air force needed by the U.S. and NATO or otherwise known as the E-3 Sentry aircraft (#1 and #2 of link page). One of its main bases are at Tinker Airforce base in Oklahoma.

The E-3 Sentry aircraft is designed from a Boeing 707/320 commercial airframe with a rotating radar dome attached to the middle of the aircraft (#1 and #2 of link page). Inside it contains radar subsystems and computer components that give it its function as an air defense aircraft. Beside show a sample of the aircraft.

As you know, there are many computer systems and radar subsystems on board the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. Its huge radar dome on the middle of the plane is capable of detecting low-flying aircrafts at more the 200 miles(320 kilometers) and also further range for medium and high flying vehicles (#1 and #2 of link page). Furthermore, the radar capabilities are also further advance when it is combined with an identification friend or foe subsystem (#1 and #2 of link page). This airborne radar has an advantage compare to ground based radar. This airborne base radar can see further then ground base radar and also ground based radars only can see high altitude aircrafts which brings a disadvantage where else the airborne radar can detect all altitude aircrafts as proven in the drawing below (#3 of link page):

This diagram shows one of the advantages of AWACS airborne radar when it can detect aircraft from different heights (#3 in Link Page).

This drawing show yet another advantages of the AWACS where it can detect aircrafts eventhough it is behind a mountain (#3 in Link Page).

Navigation, communication and computers (for data processing) are also the other major subsystems on board (#1 and #2 of link page). This computers that are allocated on board the E-3 Sentry are mainly used to process data and convert it in to graphic and tabular format on video screens. From this screens, the operators will perform their task for surveillance, identification, weapon control, battle management and communication (#1 and #2 of link page). Besides all this, the computers also provide navigation add to the pilot itself like it will help the pilot to navigate through heavy storms or in bad weather.

With both radar and computer subsystems abilities on board, data can be collected as the event occur which includes position and tracking information on the enemy aircraft and ships and also the location of friendly units. This data is also sent to major command and control centers in the rear areas or aboard ships. Air to ground support can also be provided by this plane such as interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift and close-air support for friendly ground forces (#1 and #2 of link page).

The E-3 Sentry can provide a long flying mission profile for more than 8 hours without refueling and this time can be increase by in the air refueling (#1 and #2 of link page).

There are many new upgrades to the radar and computer subsystems to the E-3 Sentry. All of the E-3's AWACS undergo a four year Programmed Depot Maintenace(PDM) cycle where it is to make corrections on defects by replacing it or upgrade it with a even new systems (#1 of link page). Some of the major upgrades that have been done on this aircraft are as listed below:

a) The AWACS Block 30/35 Modification.

This modification is still in progress where the ESM, JTIDS, GPS Integrated Navigation and additional computer processing power will be fitted in to the E-3 Sentry. With this new installations, the aircraft will be able to make a 200 times more accurate locations of targets passed via JTIDS (#1 of link page).

b) The AWACS Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP)

This program are improvement in both hardware and software modification on to the E-3 to improve its radar set performance providing enhanced detection of targets (#1 of link page).

c)AWACS Computer & Display Modernization.

This is how computer is being upgraded to help the AWACS plane to do its job. In general of the upgrade includes the replacement of the E-3 processing system by the open system Defense Information Infrastructure Common Operating Environment (DII COE) though two steps. The first step of improvement include a better target tracker algorithm, more detailed and useful maps, increased use of colors and an overall improved Human-Computer Interface. The second step is for computing upgrades where the DII COE compliant computing architecture enabling rapid, low cost delivery of plug and play capability (#1 of link page).

Besides all this, computers also help the operators in their training. There is now a program that is available online for military personal to participate on. With this internet based system available, it can reduce the costs for training. With this program, the personnal involve no longer need to fly to a certain training facility to train themselves but they now can go online. This program can enable trainees to rehearse complex training scenarios. This program also can provide real-life crisis to the online trainees where they will be able to work as a team to solve it (#4 of the link page).

END.

I hope this page have given you enough information on the E-3 Sentry as much as possible.

By:

Leong Chin Tho

Created On 13 August 2000