Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!att!cbnews!military
From: rdd@vondrake.cc.utexas.edu (Robert Dorsett)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: E-3A question & info
Message-ID: <10314@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 18 Oct 89 02:48:55 GMT
Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM
Lines: 62
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: rdd@vondrake.cc.utexas.edu (Robert Dorsett)
At an airshow at Bergstrom AFB yesterday, an E-3A was featured.  On each engine
was an object which does not appear on either the 707 or the KC-135.  It appears
as a cylinder at the rear, with the longitudinal axis parallel to the longit-
udinal axis of the engine.  The rear opening is about a foot wide, perhaps
six inches deep, and located around a foot forward of the engine exhaust.
The area inside the opening is totally flat, with a non-reflective black 
surface inside it (it does not appear to be a cover).  The cylinder extends 
about six feet forward, gradually tapering into the engine pylon.  The entire 
assembly is right above the engine nacelle itself.

My question: what IS it? :-)


Here's the info they're giving out on the fact card...

Prime contractor: Boeing Aerospace Company and Westinghouse

Airframe: Modified Boeing 707-320B

Power Plant: Four Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-100A turbofan engines.

Speed: in excess of 500 mph (M 0.78)

Normal Operating Altitude: 29,000 to 31,000'

Endurance: 11 hours unrefuelled, 22 hours refuelled (engine oil limitation)

Radar range:
	225 nautical miles low-altitude
	335 nautical miles medium/high altitude targets
	Generally "250 miles plus."

Detection speed: targets moving at greater than 80 mph.

Crew size: 17-25 crew members (4 flight crew; 13-21 mission crew)

Number of aircraft
	Total of 34 in fleet--33 operated by the Air Force, one by the Air
	Force's Electronic Systems Division at Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle,
	Wash.

Cost: In excess of $179.5 million each (includes R&D, parts, spares, unique
  equipment).

Provides surveillance, command, control and communications capability.

Detects and tracks fixed-wing aircraft at all altitudes against both land and
  sea backgrounds.

Detects and tracks maritime surface vessels

Will direct friendly aircraft against enemy aircraft before they reach their
  ordnance release points

Delivery
	First aircraft delivered March 1977
	Last aircraft delivered July 1984

Nickname: Sentry