USAF receives E-3 with cockpit upgrade
The US Air Force (USAF) has received back into service the first E-3 Sentry aircraft to undergo the DRAGON cockpit modification programme, the USAF announced on 17 January.
The DRAGON [Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation] programme upgrade ensures compliance with current and future air traffic control requirements in international and domestic airspace, allowing crews access to reduced vertical separation minimum airspace and optimal flight levels increasing fuel efficiency and reducing clearance delays.
The upgrade replaces 1970s analogue technology with digital flight management systems. The avionic indictors include multicolour graphic displays that customise and accurately portray engine, navigation and radar data; and new Mode-5 Identification Friend or Foe and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast capabilities have been added to increase situational awareness and enhance flight safety.
DRAGON also automates the navigation functions by optimising crew resource management during flight operations. This system increases the navigational data reservoir encompassing GPS data to comply with new International Civil Aviation Organization and air force regulations. Additionally, the weather radar system safeguards aircrew by predicting and highlighting hazardous weather conditions.
This is the first of 24 USAF E-3 Sentry aircraft that will be modified over the next eight years
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
