ighter pilots know the RAF E-3D Sentry
AEW1 by its callsign, ‘Magic’ – and
when it comes up on the radio net to
issue orders on operations or exercises, they
know its controllers have access to the ‘big
picture’ of the ongoing air, land and sea battle.
The aircraft’s AN/APY-2 radar can monitor
hundreds of radar tracks over thousands of
square miles and its computer system translates
those tracks into a ‘god’s eye’ view of the battle.
The E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control
System, or AWACS, revolutionised aerial
warfare after it entered US Air Force service
in 1977, and has given US and coalition air
commanders decisive advantages in the 1991
Gulf War, conflicts in the Balkans during the
1990s and during ongoing air operations over
Afghanistan and the Middle East from 2001.
Hostile aircraft can be detected almost
as soon as they take off from their home
bases and controllers on the E-3 can
vector fighters to intercept them.
Its secure communications with ground
troops and headquarters also enable bombers
to be dispatched to hit enemy positionswith pinpoint accuracy. And, as well as
monitoring enemy air activity using its own
radar, the E-3 boasts electronic support
measures (ESM) devices to detect enemy
radar emissions and analyse identification
friend or foe (IFF) transponder signals.
Once presented to controllers on the
display screens inside the E-3’s rear cabin,
this intelligence creates an unrivalled
view of what’s happening across huge
areas in the air, land and sea domains.
Several generations of air commanders
and combat aviators have come to rely on
the AWACS wherever they operate. This iscertainly the
case for the
RAF, which has
been a member
of the exclusive E-3
operators’ club since- Newly delivered RAF
E-3Ds were committed to
action in the Balkans the following
year where they monitored the
UN-mandated no-fly zone over Bosnia.
Since then the E-3D fleet has been
in action around the world almost
continuously – alongside its US,
French and NATO counterparts.
Magic at war
RAF E-3D crews have become experts
at choreographing air supremacy and
close air support operations in several
conflicts. They played a central role in
the critical operation when US forces
launched air strikes to defeat the Taliban in
Afghanistan in 2001 and enabled coalition
special forces to land in the region.Reports emerged over the summer that the Royal Air Force
is looking to replace its ageing fleet of Boeing E-3D Sentry
airborne early warning and control aircraft. Tim Ripley
examines the options.Sentry su
F
RAF 100
68 // DECEMBER 2018 #369 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com