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The '''Boeing E-3 Sentry''' is an American military airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, to the United States, United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, and NATO air defense forces. Production ended in 1992 after 68 had been built. | The '''Boeing E-3 Sentry''' is an American military airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, to the United States, United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, and NATO air defense forces. Production ended in 1992 after 68 had been built. | ||
==Design== | |||
The E-3 as equipped in USAF and NATO service can fly without refueling for 8 hours or 4000 miles, whilst newer examples in British, French and Saudi service, equipped with CFM56-2 engines can fly for 10 hours or 5000 miles without refuelling. Its range and on-station time can be increased through [[Howto: Air-Air Refueling|inflight refueling]] and the use of an on-board crew rest area. The range and loiter time can be used to alter the flight plan as required for operation reasons. | |||
===Variants=== | |||
Only the E-3B is modeled in [[FlightGear]] at the moment! | |||
*EC-137D | |||
**Two prototype AWACS aircraft with JT3D engines, one fitted with a Westinghouse radar and the other with a Hughes radar. Both converted to E-3A standard with TF33 engines. | |||
*E-3A | |||
**Production aircraft with TF33 engines and AN/APY-1 radar, 25 built for USAF later converted to E-3B standard. 18 built for NATO with TF33 engines and five for Saudi Arabia with CFM56 engines. | |||
*KE-3A | |||
**These are not AWACS aircraft but CFM56 powered tankers for Saudi Arabia, 8 built. | |||
*E-3B | |||
*E-3As converted with AN/APY-2 radar and other improvements, 24 conversions. | |||
*E-3C | |||
** Production aircraft with system improvements, nine built. NATO E-3A aircraft although not re-designated have been modified to the same equipment standard. | |||
*JE-3C | |||
**One E-3A aircraft used by Boeing for trials later redesignated E-3C. | |||
*E-3D | |||
**Production aircraft for the Royal Air Force to E-3C standard with CFM56 engines and British modifications designated Sentry AEW.1, seven built. | |||
*E-3F | |||
**Production aircraft for the French Air Force to E-3C standard with CFM56 engines and French modifications, four built. | |||
*E-3G | |||
**USAF Block 40/45 modification with Airframe Modernization Program (AMP). | |||
*Sentry AEW.1 | |||
**British designation for the E-3D. | |||
*TC-18E | |||
**used for E-3 Sentry crew proficiency training. No mission equipment. | |||
=== Related lists === | === Related lists === |