Page 417 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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▶ GRUMMAN E-2C HAWKEYE
Cockpit containing
Date 1964 Origin US two flight crew, with
1
Wingspan 80 ⁄2ft (24.56m) three AEW operators Radome ELECTR
in fuselage
1
Length 57 ⁄2ft (17.54m)
Top speed 374mph (602kph)
Engine Two 4,910hp (3,663kW)
Allison T56-A-425 turboprops
The first true Airborne Early Warning ONIC W
(AEW) aircraft, the Hawkeye’s distinctive
rotating radome was able to discover and
track enemy aircraft, and then direct Four-fin tail assembly
friendly aircraft to intercept them. ARF

Flexible outer skin designed Adjustable engine air ARE AND
for high speed intake cones

▲ LOCKHEED SR-71 BLACKBIRD ▼ BOEING E-3A SENTRY (AWACS) The US Air Force’s Airborne Warning and
Date 1966 Origin US Date 1977 Origin US Control System (AWACS) is a converted Boeing
707 airliner. The rotating dish antenna can
Wingspan 55 ⁄2ft (16.94m) Wingspan 145 ⁄4ft (44.4m) detect aircraft within a radius of 245 miles RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT
1
1
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Length 107 ⁄2ft (32.74m) Length 153ft (46.6m) (395km). Onboard computers assess the threat
Top speed 2,275mph (3,661kph) Top speed 530mph (853kph) and control friendly aircraft in defense.
Engine Two 32,500lb (14,742kg) Engine Four 21,000lb (9,540kg) Pratt &
Pratt & Whitney J58-1 turbo ramjets Whitney TF33-PW-100 turbofans
A strategic reconnaissance aircraft that saw
extensive operational service during the
Vietnam War, the SR-71 is not only the world’s
fastest aircraft, it has also set the sustained
altitude record of 98,192ft (29,929m).
Radome revolving
at 6rpm
Tail plane

Flaps (down)
▼ BOEING E-6B MERCURY The E-6B Mercury is the command post
Date 1989 Origin US and communications relay designed to
Pratt & Whitney turbojet Wingspan 148 ⁄4ft (45.2m) maintain control of America’s nuclear
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forces if ground-based control became
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Length 150 ⁄4ft (45.8m) impossible during a nuclear war.
Top speed 600mph (970kph)
Engine Four 34,000lb (150kN) CMFI Dorsal blister containing
CFM56-2A-2 turbofans satellite communications