The U.S. Air Force E-3G AWACS aircraft was damaged in the Iranian attack, dealing a severe blow to command and control structures in the Middle East.

Damage to U.S. E-3G Early Warning Aircraft and Its Implications

According to sources cited by the American professional publication Air & Space Forces Magazine, a U.S. E-3G early warning aircraft was damaged during Iran’s attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

The report also confirmed that several aerial refueling aircraft were damaged, and 10 U.S. military personnel were injured, two of whom sustained serious injuries.

Before the outbreak of hostilities with Iran, Prince Sultan Air Base had deployed a total of six E-3G early warning aircraft.

Air & Space Forces Magazine is the official publication of the Air Force Association (AFA) of the United States, holding semi-official status. Its reports are typically based on inside military intelligence and thus carry high credibility.

Prince Sultan Air Base is located deep within Saudi territory and has long been regarded as the U.S. military’s “rear base” and command center in the Middle East. Iran’s ability to penetrate the base’s defensive perimeter indicates it likely employed medium- to long-range ballistic missiles—such as the “Qiam-3” or “Zolfaghar” series—or hypersonic weapons. The capability to strike deep into Saudi territory demonstrates Iran’s capacity to overcome the Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD missile defense systems.

The E-3 aircraft serves as the “brain” and “force multiplier” of the U.S. air combat system. The current fleet of E-3 aircraft is severely aging, limited in number (around 30 aircraft), and costly to maintain. The deployment of six E-3Gs prior to the conflict represents nearly the maximum force the U.S. can commit to a single theater. Losing or damaging even one aircraft means approximately 16% of the theater’s airborne command capability collapses instantly.

The E-3G is the latest upgraded variant, featuring enhanced cyber warfare capabilities and advanced data-link processing. Damage to this platform directly undermines the U.S. military’s early warning and command efficiency against Iranian air operations, potentially creating critical blind spots in surveillance and command, particularly given that multiple long-range early warning radars in the Middle East have also been compromised.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860901155406912/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.