Blain is correct when he states that there is now no difference.
AWACS which stands for Airborne warning and control system was coined by the US for the E-3. Before that many AEW platforms had come and gone starting in the 50's. This was the first system that put Combat control into the platform. So in reality the E-3 was the first AEW&C aircraft, the AWACS designation was meant for it originally but became a commonly used term. The correct designation for all of these platform is AEW&C.
Although the E-2 was in service before that its early years were spent sending information back to the 'war room' of the carrier and its was known in Navy designation is E-2 AEW. The C for control came later as datalinks and radio communication matured.
As for now, the wedgetail is the creme of the crop. An Agile beam antenna, Substantial ESM and ECCM. Crew comfort and data capacity. It also is very expensive though not the most, the most expensive is the Japanese E-767 series which cost the Japanese a lot of greenbacks.
However, with the latest upgrades now in the offing for the E-3 which is about to go through this cycle, it will gain most if not all of the abilities of the wedgetail including a rotating AESA, More powerful ESM and with its greater loiter time, combat capacity and ability to defend itself.. will retake the title of the best machine.
The Chinese are still far behind in Radar tech and will take another 5 or so years to achieve the standard.
What is a nice addition is, what could be the best design for an AEW&C jet..Well, something like the B-1 with an integrated conformal AESA array all over.. Being able to get to a deployment area quick.. and get out quick.
And last .. the ugliest Awacs
AWACS which stands for Airborne warning and control system was coined by the US for the E-3. Before that many AEW platforms had come and gone starting in the 50's. This was the first system that put Combat control into the platform. So in reality the E-3 was the first AEW&C aircraft, the AWACS designation was meant for it originally but became a commonly used term. The correct designation for all of these platform is AEW&C.
Although the E-2 was in service before that its early years were spent sending information back to the 'war room' of the carrier and its was known in Navy designation is E-2 AEW. The C for control came later as datalinks and radio communication matured.
As for now, the wedgetail is the creme of the crop. An Agile beam antenna, Substantial ESM and ECCM. Crew comfort and data capacity. It also is very expensive though not the most, the most expensive is the Japanese E-767 series which cost the Japanese a lot of greenbacks.
However, with the latest upgrades now in the offing for the E-3 which is about to go through this cycle, it will gain most if not all of the abilities of the wedgetail including a rotating AESA, More powerful ESM and with its greater loiter time, combat capacity and ability to defend itself.. will retake the title of the best machine.
The Chinese are still far behind in Radar tech and will take another 5 or so years to achieve the standard.
What is a nice addition is, what could be the best design for an AEW&C jet..Well, something like the B-1 with an integrated conformal AESA array all over.. Being able to get to a deployment area quick.. and get out quick.
And last .. the ugliest Awacs
![phalcon_c1.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.israeli-weapons.com%2Fweapons%2Faircraft%2Fphalcon%2Fphalcon_c1.jpg&hash=c5a7db80c5e3e7f2f294b8a99e51779b)