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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Airborne Radar
Keywords: AWACS
Message-ID: <1991Mar6.041752.24873@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 6 Mar 91 04:17:52 GMT
References: <1991Feb28.052606.10693@cbnews.att.com> <1991Mar4.212032.9270@cbnews.att.com>
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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)

> I've heard that if there are nearby aircraft, the AWACS shuts off it's 
> radar ... otherwise the pilots get cooked from the massive radiation output.
  
  The radar acts just like a big microwave oven.  Static electricity build
  up is the big concern.  The fear is that if the fighter gets too close
  to the AWACS - it will jetison ordnance and/or trigger the ejection seat.
  (Now THAT will ruin your day!).  However, that has never happened.

  According to old AWACS operators around here - if fighters get too close
  they are told to stay away - that AWACS isn't going to move - so you'd
  better stand off.  During refuel of AWACS - at around 1/4 mile - the
  radar is turned "off" (or goes to 'dummy load').  During refueling -
  the boom operator is in direct line of the radar dome.

  During AWACS operations in Korea - Korean fighter pilots liked to fly
  real close to AWACS - guess they were cooking their kim chi (sp?).

  No need to worry on the ground - the AWACS radar is not operated below
  18,000 feet.
  

  mike schmitt