Why Some Military Planes Are Impossible To Shoot Down

Published Jun 1, 2024 By Rej

YouTube / Not What You Think

The AWACS platforms usually come in various shapes and sizes from helicopters, and airplanes to flying saucers. These modern spy planes cannot be shot down as well, although they’re easily detected.

The AWACS

NATO’s early warning and command force has several components, but its biggest and most iconic is the E-3 Sentry, also known as the AWACS.

First built in the 1970s from converted Boeing 707s, the E-3 Sentry can fly at Mach 0.8 and reach an altitude of 35,000 feet. NATO has over 40 of these planes in service.

High-Value Heavy Airborne Asset

The E-3 stands out with its rotodome, a 30-foot diameter rotating radar on its back. This is a highly potent radar that can track over 600 moving and stationary targets from a distance of over 250 miles.

There are also other AWACS around the world featuring more advanced and expensive radar technology. These platforms also allow highly mobile and adaptable radar capabilities which can be deployed in just a matter of hours to a zone of conflict.

AWACS are easily detectable on enemy sensors because of their size, shape, and loud radars. The thing is, a fighter jet would never get within range to shoot it down.

AWACS planes such as the E-3 Sentry or the E-7 Wedgetail are known as “High Value Heavy Airborne Assets.” Thus, when flying on enemy territory, they need to be escorted by friendly fighter jets.

During wartime, they’ll operate and communicate with hundreds of other vehicles and command centers.

Impossible to Take Down

However, unlike fighters, modern AWAC planes are very unmaneuverable, and most likely couldn’t dodge a large and fast-moving missile.

As soon as enemy planes lock a missile on an AWACS, both they and their missile will be jammed to oblivion. This is because AWACs have electronic countermeasure systems that are five times more powerful than electronic warfare jets.