Iran Destroyed an American E-3 Sentry AWACS Plane. Here’s Why That Matters.

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The destruction of the E-3—a command node for American air and ground operations—matters far more than the shootdown of a fighter jet or aerial tanker.

An Iranian strike has destroyed a US Air Force E-3 Sentry (AWACS) at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Images show that the E-3’s tail was severed and the radar dome destroyed.

The loss is significant, and extends beyond the simple airframe; the E-3 is an important command-and-control node, central to how the United States fights its wars in the modern era.

The E-3 Sentry’s Specifications

Number Built 68 (17 in service)

Length 152 ft 11 in (46.6 m)

Wingspan 145 ft 9 in (44.4 m)

Weight (MTOW) ~347,000 lb (157,400 kg)

Engines Four Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-100A turbofans (~84,000 lbf total thrust)

Top Speed ~530 mph (853 km/h) / Mach 0.75

Combat Radius ~4,000 nmi (4,600 mi, 7,400 km)

Service Ceiling 30,000 ft (9,100 m)

Loadout AN/APY-1/2 radar (360° coverage), IFF systems,........

© The National Interest