Description
The Weapon System
The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by commanders of U. S. and NATO air defense forces.
The aircraft is a modified Boeing 707/320 commercial airframe with a rotating radar dome held 11 feet above the fuselage by twin struts. The radar has a range of more than 200 miles for low-flying targets and farther for aerospace vehicles flying at medium to high altitudes. Other major subsystems in the E-3 are navigation, communications and computers.
The radar and computer subsystems on the E-3 can gather and present broad and detailed battlefield information, including position and tracking data on enemy aircraft and ship and location and status of friendly aircraft and naval vessels. Consoles display computer-processed data in graphic and tabular format on video screens. Information can be sent to major command and control centers and can be forwarded to the National Command Authorities in the United States.
The R-TOC approach for AWACS is integrating R-TOC into AWACS Business Processes and the formation of Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to identify cost drivers and identify and implement short-, medium-, and long-term cost-reduction initiatives.
Production Status, Population, and Planned Life
The first E-3's were delivered in March 1977 and the US AWACS fleet now numbers 33 aircraft, all of which are in the Active force. NATO has acquired 18 of the aircraft and support equipment. The UK has seven E-3s, Saudi Arabia has five, and France has four. In 1994, the Air Force initiated the Extend Sentry program, which will extend the life of the U. S. fleet through the year 2025.
Prime contractor: Boeing Aerospace Company
Office of Primary Responsibility: System Program Director, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, MA
R-TOC Focus Areas: (From USD (AT&L) memorandum dated May 10, 1999)
- Reduced demand from weapon systems via reliability and maintainability improvements
- Identification /replacement of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) subsystems for modification and/or replacement, including engines, cockpit avionics, and batteries.
- A variety of Cost Savings Modernization Initiatives (CSMIs), including JTIDS DLI
- Reduced supply chain response times, leading to reduced spares, system support footprint, and depot needs
- Block 40/45 mission computer (hardware and software) upgrades resulting in user-contractor partnerships with definitive sustainment objectives.
- Digitizing tech orders (funding not approved).
- Competitive sourcing of product support, leading to streamlining and overhead reductions
- Block 40/45 mission computer (hardware and software) upgrades resulting in user-contractor partnerships with definitive sustainment objectives.
- Increasing contractor weapon system responsibility, planning a single overarching system support contract.
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