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Images of a wrecked E-3 Sentry aircraft after an attack on a Saudi air base show the plane’s tail severed from body
From F-16 fighters to KC-135 tankers, these five aircraft types make up the largest fleets in the US Air Force in 2026.
The National Interest on MSN
Iran Destroyed an American E-3 Sentry AWACS Plane. Here’s Why That Matters.
The destruction of the E-3—a command node for American air and ground operations—matters far more than the shootdown of a fighter jet or aerial tanker.
Apart from the AWACS platform, several KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers are also believed to have sustained damage in the attack. Reports suggest that over a dozen US personnel were injured, highlighting the scale and intensity of the strike despite existing air defence systems.
Welcome back to the Fluctus Channel. In this episode, we explore the world of aircraft testing and performance evaluation techniques used by the US Air Force. Despite advancements in computer simulations,
The US has just a handful of E-3 Sentry's in mission-capable condition.
An American E-3 Sentry was destroyed during Iran’s attack on the Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, according to US officials and new photos. Viral images circulated online and verified by the AFP show the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System Aircraft (AWACS) ripped in two following Friday’s missile and drone assault.
The Israel Defense Forces released video from the cockpit of an Israeli Air Force aircraft during an aerial refueling with a U.S. Air Force aircraft. (Credit: IDF)