E-3G upgrade programme expanded

The US Air Force will upgrade all 31 of its operational Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System aircraft to Block 40/45 by November 2023. Currently, 17 E-3Gs are operating in Block 40/45 coniguration. Previously, seven aircraft were planned to retire instead of upgrading them. Funding for expanding the programme to 31 aircraft had been included in the FY2019 budget request. In July, it was authorized by Congress in the conference report on the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act. David Isby, image Greg Davis/US Air Force