AWACS is an Airborne Warning and Control System. It's a surveillance airplane equipped with an Airborne Radar, which can detect aircraft in low altitudes and across any terrain. It can be used for reconnaissance, command and control, and communications. The radar dome rotates above its fuselage. It is 9 m (30 ft) wide and can cover 400 km in airspace. It can also detect low flying aircraft up to 200 nautical miles away. Its primary task is to monitor and detect airborne threats. It is also capable of directing its own air defense systems. It is used worldwide by the US Air Force as well as France, Great Britain, Saudi Air Force, and Great Britain.
AWACS were used in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. They also helped enforce a no-fly zone above Bosnia by the UN and in the Kosovo crisis. They provided vital information about enemy actions. They helped to pair targets with strike planes. These aircraft also prevented "bluee-on-blue attacks". They were also used as force multipliers. NATO also used AWACS in the past. The aircraft provided situational alert for the Global Coalition of Defeat ISIS. AWACS aircraft also support major sporting events as well as war games such the Red Flag games in America and NATO exercises in Scandinavia, the Balkans and the Balkans.
AWACS aircraft are able to be deployed anywhere in the world. They can be flown both during the day and at night. They are usually assigned two operational flying squadrons. They could fly up to 3 times per week. You can equip them with a KC-135 aircraft tanker to refuel in mid-flight. They can be used in tandem with other intelligence or alone. They can also be used to detect maritime traffic, emitters, and threats. They can also provide a range electronics equipment, including a space based positioning system, a Mark XV Identification Friend or Foe(IFF) radar and a Have Quick secure voice communication system. It is possible to also deploy the system to an on-ground C2C where it can provide valuable information to enemy aircraft.
AWACS aircraft were deployed during the 1991 Persian Gulf War and UN-imposed no-fly zones over Bosnia and Kosovo. They also served as a part of the U.S. military operation in Afghanistan. They were the first aircraft to detect threats from Iraqi during the Gulf War. They were equipped a sophisticated Indian AESA radar. They flew more that 3,000 coalition planes per day.
AWACS aircraft still participate in operations Noble Eagle & Enduring Freedom. Counter ISIL rotations involve them, where they spend a month in Turkey. They can provide air surveillance support at important international events like NATO Summit in Warsaw 2005, the Olympics Beijing 2008, and NATO Summit Istanbul 2014. They can also provide airborne surveillance during operations Northern and Southern Watch.
AWACS are used to provide command, control and reconnaissance for Air Force units. They can be employed by the Tactical Air Command, the Air Force Strategic Command, and the Tactical Air Command, and they are also employed by NATO. They can be data-linked with other aircraft, ground stations and other allied air force forces.