AWACS plane with missiles? - Page 2

avon1944 · 02-23-2008, 08:34 AM

One defense the AWACS has that is seldom talked about is the "towed decoy!" To equip an AWACS with weapons 'might' give someone the idea that the AWACS can get closer to the combat with some degree of safety. If there is a weapon system today in the USAF that is more important than F-22, it would be the S-3 Sentry AWACS!

Adrian

Silent Hunter · 02-23-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitch

This will probably be laughed at by the defense professionals on the forum, but I play a flight sim which offers an "EB-52 Megafortress" as one of it's flight models. If you want to talk about an aerial "battleship", I can think of no better candidate than a heavily-modified B-52H; between it's payload, range, and room for add-ons/upgrades, no other airframe has as much room for expansion/modification as a B-52H. Give it a couple of CSRL's, one CSRL loaded with AIM-54C's, the other loaded with AIM-120D's, AIM-9X's on the wing pylons, a new multi-mode AN/APG-77 AESA radar in the nose, and you've got a major stand-off anti-aircraft platform.

The EB-52 is actually from the Dale Brown novels.

Jimmy · 02-24-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zraver

Given the threat of long range ARM's to AWAC's some sort of small anti-missile missile might make sense in order to keep the big radar functioning even when the bad guys are lobbing missiles at it.

The threat of long range ARMs isnt as significant as many armchair comrade generals would like to believe. There are some missiles that are truly long range, but they tend to be carried by very few aircraft that very few countries own. The MiG-31 may be a rocket with decent weapons, but that doesnt matter much unless we're fighting over Russian soil. So that's not a threat. See what I mean?

Edit: Wait a second, towed decoy?

somak11 · 02-25-2008, 11:46 AM

I dont know why Im even posting on this page..an awac with missiles is like arming a handcuffed soldier with a knife.

But I did have a question for all you technology experts...( forgive my ignorance ) but doesnt a f-22 or a su-30mki work as a temporary awac in certain situations due to thier powerful radars.

zraver · 02-25-2008, 13:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somak11

I dont know why Im even posting on this page..an awac with missiles is like arming a handcuffed soldier with a knife.

But I did have a question for all you technology experts...( forgive my ignorance ) but doesnt a f-22 or a su-30mki work as a temporary awac in certain situations due to thier powerful radars.

The Mig-31 can create a radar curtain that is hundreds of Km across depending on the number of platforms data linked into it. It can actually cover a wider frontage than a single E-3 but lacks the close in depth becuase it is a curtain effect not a true area coverage system. It also takes combat assets out of the fight.

The F-22 can do two things spot inbounds with its LPI technology so the E-3 doesn't have to light up or before the bogeys enter E-3 coverage becuase the F-22 can operate so far forward. Or once the F-22 is Winchester it can climb high and direct the battle and extend the radar covered observable area.

Jimmy · 02-25-2008, 13:44 PM

The F-22 can do a little bit of C2 work, but even with the nice computer system and modern display, its still only one man. There are a lot of other things the E-3 does during a sortie besides tell fighters where to look.

**TopHatter** · 02-25-2008, 14:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy

There are a lot of other things the E-3 does during a sortie besides tell fighters where to look.

Like keep an eye peeled for chicks?

omeko3 · 02-25-2008, 21:32 PM

I heard somewhere that they were thinking about turning a couple of B-1b's into aerial battleships!

somak11 · 02-26-2008, 06:58 AM

Does anybody know if spy planes like the pc-3 Orions can be modified to have a radar curtain or do any c2 work?

omon · 02-26-2008, 15:48 PM

if you so consearned about awacs survivibuility escort them with fighters, pbly gonna need refueler near by as well.

or worst case, let fighters take a hit, and save the awacs.

^^now that i read it again, pbly sounds dumb.

Jimmy · 02-29-2008, 08:07 AM

Survivability is always a concern, obviously. Fitting with how the USAF conducts warfare, the E-3 isn't unnecessarily exposed. Its a high-value asset, and Boeing isnt building any more. The AF is well aware of how important the AWACS and the crew aboard are. Its a small fleet with a small pool of qualified aircrew. Not something to be tossed in the lion's den.

In over 30 years of E-3 operations and more than two decades of Connie flights before that, the USAF hasn't lost an AEW/AWACS aircraft to hostile fire yet.

Edit: omon, the worst case would be to send the tanker in to take the hit.

glyn · 02-29-2008, 17:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy

Survivability is always a concern, obviously. Fitting with how the USAF conducts warfare, the E-3 isn't unnecessarily exposed. Its a high-value asset, and Boeing isnt building any more. The AF is well aware of how important the AWACS and the crew aboard are. Its a small fleet with a small pool of qualified aircrew. Not something to be tossed in the lion's den.

In over 30 years of E-3 operations and more than two decades of Connie flights before that, the USAF hasn't lost an AEW/AWACS aircraft to hostile fire yet.

Edit: omon, the worst case would be to send the tanker in to take the hit.

Obviously after making sure that you have sufficient fuel to return.

02-23-2008, 08:34 AM	#16 (permalink)
avon1944 Patron Join Date: 04-26-05 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 266	RE: AWACS plane with missiles? One defense the AWACS has that is seldom talked about is the "towed decoy!" To equip an AWACS with weapons 'might' give someone the idea that the AWACS can get closer to the combat with some degree of safety. If there is a weapon system today in the USAF that is more important than F-22, it would be the S-3 Sentry AWACS! Adrian

02-26-2008, 15:48 PM	#25 (permalink)
omon Field mechanik *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-01-06 Location: bk Posts: 1,869 Country:	if you so consearned about awacs survivibuility escort them with fighters, pbly gonna need refueler near by as well. or worst case, let fighters take a hit, and save the awacs. ^^now that i read it again, pbly sounds dumb. __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" B. Franklin Last edited by omon : 02-26-2008 at 15:51 PM.

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02-25-2008, 11:46 AM	#19 (permalink)
somak11 Banished Regular Join Date: 02-25-08 Posts: 36 Country:	I dont know why Im even posting on this page..an awac with missiles is like arming a handcuffed soldier with a knife. But I did have a question for all you technology experts...( forgive my ignorance ) but doesnt a f-22 or a su-30mki work as a temporary awac in certain situations due to thier powerful radars.

02-25-2008, 13:44 PM	#21 (permalink)
Jimmy *Military Professional* Join Date: 11-16-05 Posts: 911 Country:	The F-22 can do a little bit of C2 work, but even with the nice computer system and modern display, its still only one man. There are a lot of other things the E-3 does during a sortie besides tell fighters where to look.

02-25-2008, 21:32 PM	#23 (permalink)
omeko3 Regular Join Date: 06-21-07 Posts: 29	I heard somewhere that they were thinking about turning a couple of B-1b's into aerial battleships!

02-26-2008, 06:58 AM	#24 (permalink)
somak11 Banished Regular Join Date: 02-25-08 Posts: 36 Country:	Does anybody know if spy planes like the pc-3 Orions can be modified to have a radar curtain or do any c2 work?

02-29-2008, 08:07 AM	#26 (permalink)
Jimmy *Military Professional* Join Date: 11-16-05 Posts: 911 Country:	Survivability is always a concern, obviously. Fitting with how the USAF conducts warfare, the E-3 isn't unnecessarily exposed. Its a high-value asset, and Boeing isnt building any more. The AF is well aware of how important the AWACS and the crew aboard are. Its a small fleet with a small pool of qualified aircrew. Not something to be tossed in the lion's den. In over 30 years of E-3 operations and more than two decades of Connie flights before that, the USAF hasn't lost an AEW/AWACS aircraft to hostile fire yet. Edit: omon, the worst case would be to send the tanker in to take the hit.

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