Boeing E-3 Sentry | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Usa |
| Rôle | Alerte précoce et contrôle aéroportés |
| Premier vol | 9 février 1972 |
| Construit | 68 |
Lla Boeing E-3 Sentry, communément appelé AWACS, est un avion aéroporté américain d’alerte précoce et de contrôle (AEW&C) développé par Boeing. Dérivé du Boeing 707, il fournit une surveillance, un commandement, un contrôle et des communications par tous les temps, et est utilisé par l’United States Air Force, l’OTAN, la Royal Air Force, la Français Air Force et la Royal Saudi Air Force. Le E-3 se distingue par le dôme radar rotatif distinctif au-dessus du fuselage. La production a pris fin en 1992 après la construction de 68 avions.
Source: Boeing E-3 Sentry sur Wikipedia
| Boeing E-3B Sentry Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Spectacle aérien travis |
| Photos | 167 |
| Sentry AEW.1 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Michael Benolkin |
| Localisation | Inconnu |
| Photos | 47 |
| E-3A (79-0446) AWACS Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Pieter Marijnus |
| Localisation | Inconnu |
| Photos | 35 |
Voir aussi :
The Strategic Force Multiplier
Lla Boeing E-3B Sentry is an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications. Based on the Boeing 707-320B airframe, the E-3B is distinguished by its massive rotating radar dome. The « B » model was a significant upgrade in the 1980s, introducing the Block 20 modifications that added more computer consoles, improved jam-resistant communications, and the ability to track maritime targets as well as airborne ones.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (E-3B) |
|---|---|
| Rôle | Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) |
| Crew | 4 Flight Crew; 13–19 Mission Specialists |
| First Flight | October 31, 1975 (EC-137D) |
| Groupe motopropulseur | 4 × Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-100A turbofans |
| Thrust | 21,000 lbf (93 kN) per engine |
| Radar Range | Over 250 miles (400 km) for low-flying targets |
| Vitesse maximale | 530 mph (853 km/h / Mach 0.69) |
| Endurance | 8+ hours (unrefueled) |
Anatomy of a Rotating Radar
- The Rotodome: The 30-foot diameter circular dome sits 11 feet above the fuselage. It houses the Northrop Grumman APY-1/2 radar. It rotates at 6 RPM during active scanning but is kept at 1/4 RPM when idle to keep the bearings lubricated.
- Pulse-Doppler Radar: Unlike standard radars of its era, the Sentry’s radar can « look down, » distinguishing aircraft from ground clutter. It can track over 600 targets simultaneously across an area larger than 115,000 square miles.
- Mission Crew Compartment: The interior of the 707 airframe is replaced with rows of operator consoles. Each specialist manages a different sector of the air battle, from identifying friendly vs. foe (IFF) to directing strike fighters to their targets.
- In-Flight Refueling: To stay on station for 24 hours or more, the E-3B is equipped with a refueling receptacle above the cockpit, allowing it to take fuel from KC-135 or KC-10 tankers.
Lla « God’s Eye View » in Combat
- Desert Storm: The E-3B proved its worth in 1991, coordinating the most complex air campaign in history. AWACS crews directed the first kills of the war and provided early warning against Scud missile launches.
- Diplomatic Support: Beyond combat, the Sentry is used for drug interdiction missions and providing security for major events like the Olympic Games and presidential travel.
- NATO Operations: A unique fleet of E-3s is operated by NATO itself, flown by multinational crews and based in Germany, serving as a shared umbrella of protection for member nations.
- The Sunset Era: After nearly 50 years of service, the U.S. Air Force has begun the process of replacing the aging E-3 fleet with the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, which uses a stationary « fin » radar instead of a rotating dome.
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