Airbourne Early Warning
Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft are specialised military assets designed to detect and track airborne threats over vast areas. Equipped with advanced radar systems and surveillance technologies, these platforms provide commanders with critical information about enemy aircraft, missiles, and other aerial activities in real-time. The primary function of AEW aircraft is to enhance situational awareness and control of the airspace, ensuring timely responses to potential threats. They serve as the eyes in the sky, capable of coordinating defensive measures and supporting ground and naval operations. In addition to their tactical roles, AEW aircraft often play a vital part in joint operations, providing seamless integration and communication among various military branches. Their capabilities are essential in modern warfare, where air superiority can decisively influence the outcome of conflicts.
E-2 Hawkeye
The E-2 Hawkeye is a carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft used by the U.S. Navy. With its distinctive radar dome, it enhances situational awareness by detecting air and surface threats over long ranges. The advanced systems allow it to track multiple targets, providing crucial intelligence to naval forces. Operating at altitudes up to 25,000 feet, it coordinates air missions and supports maritime operations. Introduced in the 1960s and upgraded for modern needs, the E-2 is vital for carrier strike groups in both peacetime and combat.
JASDF currently operates 16 E-2C/Ds based at both Misawa Air Base on Honshu and Naha Air Base on the island of Okinawa. the above photos are of 01-3474 in the circuit at Misawa Air Base back in November 2022
E-3 Sentry
The E-3 Sentry, an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, plays a critical role in modern military operations. Developed by Boeing and utilized primarily by the United States Air Force, the E-3 is based on the Boeing 707 airliner design. Equipped with a distinctive rotating radar dome mounted above its fuselage, the E-3 is capable of detecting, tracking, and identifying aircraft and battlefield threats over vast distances, providing real-time intelligence and battlefield management. Its advanced systems allow for effective command and control during military engagements, making it an indispensable asset for coalition forces across the globe. The E-3 has been operational since the late 1970s and has undergone various upgrades to maintain its effectiveness in evolving combat scenarios.
France based an E-3F aircraft at RAF Waddington for a number of weeks for Exercise Atlantic Trident along with their own Rafale’s
Seen below at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2019 is LX-N90451 this is owned and operated by NATO
E-767
The Boeing E-767 is a sophisticated military airborne early warning and control aircraft that was specifically developed for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). This impressive aircraft is based on the widely recognized Boeing 767 commercial airliner and seamlessly incorporates advanced radar and surveillance systems that are essential for effectively monitoring air traffic and providing command and control during a variety of missions. Originally, only four units of the E-767 were built, and all of these remarkable aircraft are currently in active service with the JASDF. These aircraft play a crucial and vital role in Japan’s overall air defence strategy, ensuring rapid response capabilities and significantly enhanced situational awareness in the region, particularly in times of heightened tension or crisis.
Japan’s JASDF is currently the only customer of Boeing’s E-767 platform with 4 based at Hamamatsu Air Base approximately 90 Minutes from Tokyo 64-3501 is seen above at the air base back in November 2022 doing circuit work
