E-3D SENTRY AEW1

Deliveries of the Sentry AEW1, commenced in March 1991 and delivery of all seven airframes was complete in early 1992. These seven aircraft are of the same type as the 18 delivered to the multinational NATO early warning force between 1982/1985.

Powered by four CFM 56-2A-3 engines, the Sentry is designed to cruise at 29,000 feet whilst detecting air and surface contacts with its AN/APY-2 surveillance radar.

Information is then transmitted back to interceptor aircraft and, ground air-and-ship-based units using a wide variety of digital datalinks. All are equipped with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and a 665,360 word memory secure communication system.

Between 1998-2000, RAF Sentry aircraft were upgraded under the Radar System Improvement Programme (RSIP) costing some £120 million. New Global Positioning System navigation equipment was also installed.

AEW Sentry has a long flight endurance of up to 18 hours and the six UK aircraft form about 25 per cent of the total NATO AEW Force. During the past decade Sentry AEW1 aircraft were deployed in support of Operation Telic during the 2003 Iraq War and for Operation Oracle in support of ISAF in Afghanistan from 2002. During 2011 Sentry was deployed over Libya in support of Operation Ellamy.

Sentry is due to leave service in 2025.

In service with:

Photo Copyright Alasdair Taylor