Airborne Warning and Control System

U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft is prepared for flight in November 1997.
Larger version

AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) is a radar-based electronic system designed to carry out airborne surveillance, and C3 (command, control and communications) functions for both tactical and air defence forces. The system is designed and built by Boeing (Defense & Space Group) using Northrop Grumman radar and flown on either the E-3 Sentry aircraft (Boeing 707) or more recently a modified Boeing 767.

The aircraft are used by the USAF, NATO, the RAF, France, Saudi Arabia and the JASDF (Japanese Air Self-Defense Force).