AWACS Flashcards
(41 cards)
AWACS Mission
The E-3 AWACS aircraft provides air surveillance, command, control, and communications in a rapidly deployable package to respond to crisis situations or to extend the reach of traditional control systems.
AWACS Platform
Boeing 707-320B
767-27C (Japan)
Pratt & Whitney TF33 engine.
E3-A
These were the original production models. They used the Westinghouse AN/APY-1 radar and 9 monochrome (green on black) computer consoles for the mission crew
E-3B
All USAF E-3As were rebuilt to the E-3B standard during the late eighties with a new mission package that replaced the original 9 consoles with 14 multi-color displays.
AN/APY - 1 (Austere or Adaptive Maritime)
E-3C
New build aircraft equipped with everything from the E-3B plus the more capable APY-2 radar. Just nine of these were built.
AN/APY-2 (Full Up Maritime)
E-3D / E-3F
Brits / French
E-3G
These are USAF E-3B and E-3C aircraft fitted with the block 40/45 upgrade. The core of these upgrades is the replacement of the 1975-vintage IBM 4π central computer with “smart” operator terminals joined in a LAN.
E3 Speed
Optimum cruise 360 knots (Mach 0.48)
E3 Altitude
~ 30,000 feet
E3 Endurance
8 hours without refueling, up to 24 hours with multiple refuelings
E3 Radar
E-3B uses the AN/APY-1 radar while the E-3C uses the AN/APY-2 radar
E3 IFF System
Modified Mark XII
E3 Crew General
The E-3 crew normally consists of 22 aircrew members: 4 flight deck and 18 mission crew
E3 Flight Crew
The flight crew is composed of individuals responsible for safe ground and flight operations of the E-3. They are the aircraft commander (pilot), co-pilot, navigator, and flight engineer.
E3 Mission Crew
The mission crew is composed of individuals responsible for the command, control, surveillance, communications, electronic, and management functions, to include sensor management, internal and external communications management, and limited onboard systems maintenance.
E3 MCC
Mission Crew Commander
The MCC is responsible to the air operations center (AOC) for the safe, efficient, and successful conduct of airpower, as well as providing the battlespace air picture for their platform’s part of the battle. MCCs have many years of experience in C2 operations. Each MCC has four basic responsibilities: execute tactical action decisions, ensure coordination of operational information throughout the theater air control system (TACS), provide threat warning and attack assessment for the E-3, and provide mission crew leadership.
E3 ECO
The electronic combat officer (ECO) is responsible for operating the passive detection system (PDS).
ECOs are also the primary ground threat monitor for AWACS. If a Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) is detected and a threat to the E-3, the ECO is responsible to report it
E3 ASO
Officer—The air surveillance officer (ASO) is responsible to the MCC for all surveillance functions. He/she ensures that accurate collection, display, and dissemination of surveillance are being conducted. The ASO directs and/or coordinates the identification of all observed activity within the designated AOR.
notify the MCC whenever electronic attack is experienced and coordinate electronic protection actions
E3 SST
Senior Surveillance Technician (SST)—The SST assists the ASO supervision of the air surveillance technicians and with managing the data links.
E3 AST
Air Surveillance Technicians (AST)—The ASTs are responsible to the ASO for detection, tracking, and identification.
The primary job of air surveillance technicians is to maintain accurate tracking of all symbology and continue to detect any additional air traffic
E3 SURVEILLANCE
The primary function of the surveillance section is to: detect, track, identify, and tell.
E3 Senior Director
The senior director (SD) is responsible for the effective and efficient application of air power in accordance with the command directives that come from the air operations center and the instructions of the MCC.
Some specific responsibilities will include assigning missions, scopes, and tactical radio frequencies used by AWOs.
E3 AWO
Air Weapons Officers—Air weapons officers (AWOs) are responsible for knowing and understanding the capabilities and limitations of aircraft, weapon systems, missiles, C2 systems, and communications in both the friendly and enemy order of battle. AWO duties include controlling aircraft with the specified AOR, coordinating with air traffic control (ATC) agencies, understanding Air Force doctrine and knowing how to execute command directives like the rules of engagement and the air tasking order.
E3 Communications System Operator (CSO) and Communications Technician (CT)
The CSO is responsible for fulfilling all flight crew (voice only) and mission crew communications requirements.
The CT is responsible for testing, limited maintenance, and/or replacement of all cryptographic (crypto) and voice capable communications equipment. Also, the CT performs initialization and operation of the HAVE QUICK UHF radios and the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS).
