The destruction of a US airborne radar aircraft in an alleged Iranian attack could significantly weaken US surveillance capabilities, analysts 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 destroyed.
The aircraft are part of an airborne warning and control system, known as AWACS, which is used to monitor threats over large distances.
CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton, a former U.S. Air Force colonel, said the loss of the system is “a serious blow to (U.S.) surveillance capabilities.”
“This could potentially impact the U.S. ability to control warplanes and direct them to their targets or protect them from enemy aircraft and missile systems,” he said.
The AWACS platform plays a central role in modern warfare because it can monitor vast areas of airspace and track hundreds of targets simultaneously, 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 flights into a dominant force.”
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