The destruction of a US airborne radar aircraft in an alleged Iranian attack could significantly weaken US surveillance capabilities, analysts told CNN.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The aircraft are part of an airborne warning and control system, known as AWACS, which is used to monitor threats over large distances.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It also allows commanders to coordinate forces in real time.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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