The RADAR (RAdio Detection And Ranging. system) was invented by the British in the late 1930’s. Right in time to help them fight off the Germans during the Battle of Britain. Little after that, small portable versions of this device started to be taken aloft in both fighters and bombers for different purposes. One of them was to detect other airplanes in the neighboring area with the idea of tracking them down, shooting them down or whatever.
With that in mind, the concept of an airborne early warning and control radar system was born. In other words, a big radar carried by an airplane who could warn you of enemy aircraft’s close by.
Initially it was carried by a version of the Lockheed Constellation (my previous model finished), but in the mid 1960’s the USAF wanted a more advanced aircraft. And… long story short, the E-3 was born. It’s one of the many versions based on the civilian Boeing 707.
Externally it looks like any 707 but with the rotating radar dome (rotodome) on top which spins around at one revolution per minute.
Beside the USAF, it’s also used by NATO, Great Britain, France and Saudi Arabia.
It’s been well used since it became operational in the late 1970’s in every conflict.
