Iran AWACS aircraft strike could weaken us surveillance and early warning systems, analysts warn

The destruction of a US airborne radar aircraft in a reported Iranian strike could significantly weaken American surveillance capabilities, analysts have told CNN.

Images verified by CNN show a damaged E-3 Sentry aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, with its radar dome and tail section destroyed.

The aircraft forms part of the airborne warning and control system, known as AWACS, which is used to monitor threats over large distances.

The loss of the system is “a serious blow to (US) surveillance capabilities,” said CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton, a former US Air Force colonel.

“It can potentially impact (US) ability to control combat aircraft and vector them to their targets or protect them from engagements of hostile aircraft and missile systems,” he said.

The AWACS platform plays a central role in modern warfare as it can monitor vast areas of airspace and track hundreds of targets at once, including aircraft, missiles and drones.

It also allows commanders to coordinate forces in real time.

A recent report described the system as the “quarterback” of the battlefield, highlighting its role in providing “critical situational awareness and real-time coordination that turns individual sorties into a dominant force.”