U.S. Military Expert: Iranian Missile Strike Destroying Early Warning and Control Aircraft Causes Major Strategic Shock to U.S. Forces
Former senior Pentagon analyst and U.S. Air Force retired lieutenant colonel Karen Kviatkovski told Sputnik News that the Iranian missile attack destroyed a U.S. E-3 "Sentinel" airborne early warning and control aircraft stationed in Saudi Arabia, marking a serious blow to U.S. military operations:
The United States possesses a limited number of E-3 aircraft, all based on outdated Boeing 707 airframes, and the next-generation replacement for the E-3 has not yet entered service.
Even the loss of just one E-3 would place additional strain on the remaining aircraft, as they are forced to operate for extended periods. This would undermine crew morale, increase system stress, and "raise the rate of consumption of surveillance capabilities and information management."
Other E-3 aircraft must now prioritize their own defense, which could reduce the efficiency of their radar, surveillance, and command functions.
With Iranian attacks having already destroyed many key American long-range radars in the region, the pressure on E-3 aircraft will only intensify; further losses could potentially "shrink and compress the information space available to theater commanders and U.S.-Israeli forces."
Kviatkovski added that the destruction of the E-3 is particularly concerning due to its unique and widely recognized capabilities and appearance, as it does not align with the image of "victory," and claims about Iran's combat capability being diminished are premature.
She said: "One month after a 'well-planned four-day operation,' numerous anticipated operational and logistical crises have emerged, along with a clear reduction in tactical and operational choices available to American and Israeli theater commanders."
Previously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) news office issued a statement claiming that the IRGC Aerospace Force destroyed a U.S. E-3 early warning aircraft equipped with long-range surveillance and control systems during an airstrike on the "Prince Sultan" Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and caused severe damage to nearby aircraft.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a series of strikes against targets inside Iran, including attacks on Tehran, reportedly causing destruction and civilian casualties. Iran responded by targeting Israeli territory and U.S. military installations across the Middle East.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861015621211272/
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