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The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) is an aircraft system designed to carry out surveillance, and C2BM (command and control, battle management) functions.

Contents 1 General characteristics 1.1 Boeing/Westinghouse AWAC system 1.2 Elta/Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) PHALCON Radar 2 National AWACS capabilities 2.1  Australia 2.2  Brazil 2.3  Chile 2.4  Egypt 2.5  France 2.6  Greece 2.7  India 2.8  Israel 2.9  Mexico 2.10 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 2.11  Pakistan 2.12  Russia 2.13  Saudi Arabia 2.14  Singapore 2.15  Sweden 2.16  United Kingdom 2.17  United States 2.17.1 USN 2.17.2 US Customs Service 2.17.3 USAF 2.18 Other nations 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

Modern AWAC systems can detect aircraft from up to 400 km (250 miles) away, well out of range of most surface-to-air missiles except the Russian SA-5 and S-400. In air-to-air combat, AWAC systems can communicate with friendly aircraft, extend their sensor range and give them added stealth, since they no longer need their own active radar to detect threats. However, by the nature of radar, AWACS aircraft can be detected by opposing forces beyond its own detection range. This is because the outgoing pulse reduces in strength the further it travels. Therefore, a signal which is intended to go out and be reflected back must be strong enough to cover twice the distance between the sender and the target.

This is not a specific system with a rotating radar dome "rotodome" radome designed and built by Boeing (Defense & Space Group) using Westinghouse (now Northrop Grumman) radar. It is mounted on either the E-3 Sentry aircraft (Boeing 707) or more recently a modified Boeing 767. Only the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force has the 767 version, calling it the E-767.

Israel has developed the IAI/Elta Phalcon system, which uses an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) in lieu of a rotodome antenna. The system was the first such advanced radar placed into service. The original Phalcon was mounted on a Boeing 707 platform ^[1] and developed for the Israeli Defense Force and for export. A Boeing 707 Phalcon system was delivered to Chile in 1993 where it is know as the “Condor”.

The second generation improvement of the Phalcon system was accomplished in the development of the Israeli ground based IAI EL/M-2080 "Green Pine" radar target tracking system used by the Israeli Defense Force. This system along with the Arrow missile has been exported to several countries.

Israel has recently put in service a third generation variant of the Phalcon system on a highly modified Gulfstream G550 ^[2] aircraft. Equipped with a more efficient and compact version of this airborne radar systems made by the ELTA division of Israel Aircraft Industries(IAI), the resultant Gulfstream 550 CAEW is long endurance, high altitude, rapid pop-up and descent, capability with unobstructed 360 degree field of view coverage.

AWACS aircraft are in service with the USAF, U.S. Navy, NATO, Russian Air Force, the RAF, French Air Force, Indian Air Force, Saudi Arabia, Greece and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Modern AESA/MESA equipped aircraft are in service with Chile^[3], the Israeli Air Force[2] and planned for Singapore^[4], India, the Royal Australian Air Force, Turkey, and Korea.

The Royal Australian Air Force has four Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft on order. The aircraft uses the Northrop Grumman MESA (Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array) radar system. Aircraft are undergoing trials and the RAAF will take delivery of its first Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft in 2008.

The Brazilian Air Force operates five Embraer R-99A Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, equipped with the Erieye airborne radar from Ericsson AB of Sweden.

The Chilean Air Force operates a Boeing 707 aircraft which was highly modified to accept the original version of the conformal ELTA/IAF Phalcon AESA radar.

The Egyptian Air Force operates four Grumman E-2 Hawkeye aircraft.

• French Air Force operates four Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft.
• French Navy operates three Grumman E-2 Hawkeye aircraft.

The Hellenic Air Force operates four Embraer R-99A Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft.

As part of its Eye in the sky project, India has developed the AESA radar which will be integrated on the Embraer EMB-145 aircraft.^[5] The AWACS will be inducted by 2011.^[6]

Israel has developed the IAI/Elta Phalcon system, which uses an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) in lieu of a rotodome antenna. The system was first mounted on a Boeing 707 platform^[7].

Israel has recently put in service a variant of the Gulfstream G550^[8] aircraft, equipped with a more compact version of this airborne radar systems made by the ELTA division of Israel Aircraft Industries(IAI). The Gulfstream version is called the “Eitam”, and will be flown by the Nachshon squadron. The first of three Gulfstream G-550 AWACS was delivered to the Israeli Ministry of Defense in 2006 and the other two will follow over the next 2-3 years. Elta will install the radar and command and control equipment into three aircraft, worth over $500 million USD. The Gulfstream G-550 planes were funded with US military aid money. The Eitam will provide a radar picture of the combat zone, including SSR, and communicate with other aircraft and ground stations.^{[9] [10]}

The Mexican Air Force operates one Embrear R-99A Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft.

NATO has 17 E-3 Sentry aircraft, stationed in Geilenkirchen, Germany.

Pakistan Air Force have ordered six Saab-2000 AEW&C aircraft with the Erieye radar.Pakistan Navy have also ordered 3 P-3 with hawkeye 2000 system.The AWACS's will be inducted by 2009-2010.Pakistan air force has also signed (MOD) with China on development of AEW&C.

In service with the former Soviet Union, the Beriev A-50 "Mainstay" is an AWACS conversion of the standard Ilyushin Il-76 "Candid" strategic airlifter. Several foreign countries (China and India) have also used the Il-76 as the base platform for their own airborne radar needs.

Royal Saudi Air Force operates five Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft.

Recently, the Ministry of Defence of Singapore MINDEF announced that it's old E2-C's will be replaced by four Gulfstream G-550-AEW airplanes^[11], as part of the modernization of the SAF. 'The G550-AEW will enhance the creation of the RSAF's air situation picture and its identification capability as part of the networked air defence system. The new platforms will provide improved surveillance for the RSAF, and enhance Singapore's air defence capability." The first of four G550’s is to be delivered in 2008 and all are expected to be operational by 2010^[12] The acquisition of the G550-AEW is part of the transformation of the 3rd Generation SAF.

In 1994 the first Saab 340 was delivered for modification to accept an Ericsson Erieye (PS-890) ^[13]. Six aircraft were so modified and four were fitted with the Erieye radar. In 1995 the modified aircraft, operated by the Swedish Air Force, was designated the S-100B Argus ^{[14] [15]}.

• The Royal Air Force has seven Boeing Sentry aircraft based at RAF Waddington.

• The Royal Navy has 13 airborne surveillance and area control Westland Sea King variants which are deployed on the Royal Navy's Invincible class aircraft carriers.

The United States Navy uses the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye in the shipborne Airborne Early Warning (AEW) role.

The United States Customs Service started operation of four Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion modified ^[16] to include a Hawkeye AEW rotodome in 1993. Originally the APS-125 radar and mission system was installed and later retrofitted with an APS-138 system ^{[17] [18]}.

The United States Air Force operates 33 Boeing E-3B and E-3C Sentry aircraft, of which one is a dedicated test bed and 32 are on active duty. The majority of the USAF E-3s are located at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and have been operational since 23 March 1977.

The Israel (IAI) radar system has been sold to Chile^[19][20] and India. Australia, Turkey and South Korea are to deploy versions of the AEW&C Boeing 737 variant, using the Northrop Grumman MESA (Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array) radar system. The Gulfstream G550 CAEW and the Boeing 737 AEW&C are the newest aircraft of this type.

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• Airborne Early Warning
• Boeing 737 AEW&C
• EC-121 Warning Star
• Erieye radar
• JSTARS
• Phalcon
• Raytheon Sentinel
• US/Saudi AWACS Sale

• NATO AWACS-Spotter Geilenkirchen website
• FAS.org E-3 Sentry information
• Boeing AWACS website
• Airborne Early Warning Association website