1972 AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND NEWS FILM BOEING EC-137D SENTRY AWACS F-106 DELTA DART 69904

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In this U.S. Air Force Aerospace Defense Command News Digest (No. 91), likely from 1972, viewers see the tests conducted on a Boeing EC-137D Sentry (later named the Boeing E-3 Sentry) as part of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) program. The film opens footage of an AWACS ceremony in Seattle, where Brigadier General Kendall Russell and Boeing Program Manager Mark Miller speak to an audience about the AWACS tests of the aircraft, known as the Brassboard program. An EC-137D taxis out of a hanger and takes off. The ship flies through the air (01:30). Lt. Col. Robert B. Mitchell speaks to the camera about testing the aircraft. Men monitor radar screens in a control room (02:14). Footage shows the plane taking off from a runway, then the control room of the 25th Air Division’s SAGE Facility at McChord Air Force Base, WA. One of the ADC’s Convair F-106 Delta Darts takes off from a runway during the tests. A member of the 25th Air Division monitors a computer (04:01). Test engineers monitor tracking screens inside one of the EC-137Ds during an in-flight test (04:35). The large aircraft taxis at a runway in Colorado Springs, CO (05:10). Viewers see a design review meeting of operational command members for the AWACS program. An EC-137D starts to taxi on the snowy runway in Colorado (07:10); then it takes off into the sunny sky, concluding the film.
An airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system is an airborne radar picket system designed to detect aircraft, ships and vehicles at long ranges and perform command and control of the battlespace in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack aircraft strikes. AEW&C units are also used to carry out surveillance, including over ground targets and frequently perform C2BM (command and control, battle management) functions similar to an Air Traffic Controller given military command over other forces. When used at altitude, the radar on the aircraft allows the operators to detect and track targets and distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft much farther away than a similar ground-based radar. Like a ground-based radar, it can be detected by opposing forces, but because of its mobility, it is much less vulnerable to counter-attack.
The Boeing E-3 Sentry, commonly known as AWACS, is an American airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft developed by Boeing. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force, NATO, Royal Air Force, French Air Force, and Royal Saudi Air Force. The E-3 is distinguished by the distinctive rotating radar dome (ROTODOME) above the fuselage. Production ended in 1992 after 68 aircraft had been built.
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[@cindysandine529]

I spent 18 years supporting the AWACS program, as a civilian at Tinker AFB. My primary duty was supporting the surveillance radar system. I loved that job. Got to fly with them twice. I still give 'em a little wave when they fly over our house.

[@tynerd]

I started work on AWACS in July 1974 Boeing Field! Retired in 2007 on AWACS Boeing Field!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Haaa the 1970's those were the day....I was in my prime..O'yaa...Thanks for the upload...!

[@daveshreeve4413]

According to Joe Baugher's website serial number search results, 71-1407 and 71-1408 (the one mainly seen in the film, were redesignated E-3A and later upgraded to E-3B.

[@Ra_Mystery]

That Intro Music is Sick!

[@tynerd]

Roto-Dome is 30 ft across and about 6ft high.. Worked on that a bit over 32 years..

[@johnquest3102]

That radar is mounted high, I suppose to see over the plane. I love the suck in doors on the engines.

[@tynerd]

The radar is mounted in the aft Cargo.. That is the antenna array!

[@tynerd]

They don't have round scopes on AWACS. They used square ones in 1974. Those were just scopes they could use or Proto types..

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Best friend iun High School flew on the AWACS

[@Cavelson]

Who lived it... lived

[@jamesanderton344]

Wonder if that AWACs is still in service.....

[@9HighFlyer9]

Here's a picture of it jul 2019 mobile.twitter.com/kimaguregolf9/status/1147332892063744000

[@CHECK6-963]

@@9HighFlyer9 I flew a lot of sorties on that jet

[@montysmith6355]

who,s the cute brunette at 8:17 in this film