Interest in early warning aircraft is surging after the BBC revealed images of a destroyed E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), one of the U.S. Air Force's core strategic assets, following a surprise Iranian attack. International media went so far as to describe the Iranian operation that destroyed the AWACS as "breaching U.S. air defenses."
The BBC on the 29th (local time) released images of the destroyed E-3 Sentry. The photographs show the E-3 Sentry completely split in two.
According to reports, missiles and drones launched by Iran on the 27th struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, completely destroying one E-3 Sentry that was parked on the ground. This marks the first time since the aircraft's introduction in the late 1970s that an AWACS valued at approximately $300 million (about 450 billion won) has been lost to enemy attack.
The aircraft was identified as airframe 81-0005, assigned to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, and is beyond repair. In addition to the E-3 Sentry, the attack reportedly damaged multiple aerial refueling tankers and injured more than 10 U.S. military personnel, resulting in significant human and material losses. The U.S. military operates approximately 60 E-3 Sentries, making replacement possible, so the overall impact on total force readiness is not expected to be significant. However, given the strategic value and cost of each individual aircraft, the destruction is regarded as a major loss for the U.S. military.
**Built From Modified Boeing 707s
Deployed in Every U.S. War
Multiplies Combat Power Through Command**
Known as the "eyes in the sky," the E-3 Sentry uses a rotating radar dome mounted atop its fuselage to detect aircraft, missiles and drones at distances up to 650 kilometers. It also directs other combat aircraft and relays battlefield information to friendly forces. The aircraft has been deployed in every major U.S. military engagement, including the Gulf War, the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan.
Like the KC-135 Stratotanker — a transport and aerial refueling aircraft dating back to the 1950s — the E-3 Sentry is built on the same airframe as the Boeing 707 commercial jetliner, making it far larger than a typical fighter jet. Such large military aircraft can receive escort protection while airborne, but on the ground they must rely on base air defense systems for protection. First operationally deployed in 1977, the E-3 Sentry is scheduled to remain in U.S. Air Force service until 2035.
