Editing Boeing E-3 Sentry (section)

===Overview===
{{See also|Boeing 707#Design|l1=Boeing 707 – Design}}
[[File:ILA 2008 PD 185.JPG|thumb|Close-up rotodome revolving at 6 [[revolutions per minute]].<ref>Wilson 1998, p.&nbsp;73.</ref>|alt=Close-up view of black disc-shaped radar with wide diagonal white band. The radar rests on 2 convergent struts above aircraft fuselage.]]

The E-3 Sentry's airframe is a modified [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-320B Advanced]] model. Modifications include a rotating radar dome ([[Radome|rotodome]]), uprated hydraulics from 241 to 345 bar (3500–5000 psi) to drive the rotodome,<ref name="Pete-447">{{cite book|last=Piotrowski|first=General ''Pete''|title=Basic Airman to General: The Secret War & Other Conflicts|page=447|isbn=978-1-4931-6186-7|year=2014|publisher=Xlibris Corporation }}</ref> single-point ground refueling, air refueling, and a bail-out tunnel or chute. A second bail-out chute was deleted to cut mounting costs.<ref name="Cresent1">{{cite book|author=Gunston, Bill|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Modern Military Aircraft|year=1985|publisher=Leisure Books|isbn=978-0-517-22477-9|author-link=Bill Gunston|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/hitlersluftwaffe0000wood}}</ref>

USAF and NATO E-3s have an unrefueled range of {{cvt|7400|km}} or 8 hours of flying.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} The newer E-3 versions bought by France, Saudi Arabia, and the UK are equipped with newer [[CFM International CFM56|CFM56-2]] turbofan engines, and these can fly for about 11 hours or more than {{cvt|9250|km}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boeing E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)|publisher=Boeing|url=http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/ic/awacs/docs/E-3AWACS_overview.pdf|access-date=22 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318165642/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/ic/awacs/docs/E-3AWACS_overview.pdf|archive-date=18 March 2006}}</ref> The Sentry's range and on-station time can be increased through [[air-to-air refueling]] and the crews can work in shifts by the use of an on-board crew rest and meals area. The aircraft are equipped with one toilet in the rear, and a urinal behind the cockpit. Saudi E-3s were delivered with an additional toilet in the rear.<ref name=USAF1/><ref name=Boeing1/>

When deployed, the E-3 monitors an assigned area of the battlefield and provides information for commanders of air operations to gain and maintain control of the battle; while as an air defense asset, E-3s can detect, identify, and track airborne enemy forces far from the boundaries of the U.S. or NATO countries and can direct interceptor aircraft to these targets.<ref name=USAF1/> In support of air-to-ground operations, the E-3 can provide direct information needed for interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift, and close-air support for friendly ground forces.<ref name=USAF1/>