AWACS with DRAGON modification
While Red Flag 22-2 exercise finished recently, multiple lessons learned could be observed at Nellis AFB (NV). The 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron Falcons, part of the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB (OK), brought especially for exercise RF22-2 new equipment by sending a Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft to test the Diminishing manufacturing sources Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation, or DRAGON, modification.
DRAGON has been a long-term project within the USAF and is now in its final stages of deployment. At the beginning of January 2017, the first of 24 DRAGON modified E-3s, 77-0351/OK, arrived at Tinker.
The E-3's DRAGON modification, an update to the avionics displays to more modern glass equipment, is coupled with a communications network upgrade to the aircraft’s data-link system. Together they bring a higher degree of situational awareness to the front of the aircraft, as well as enhanced survivability due to their ability to display the air and threat picture with greater clarity.
The flight deck modernisation includes replacing most analog indicators with modern digital multicolour graphic displays. In addition, nearly all of the 1970's avionics have been replaced with updated airspace-compliant subsystems. The modernisation also includes a Mode-5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capability and provides Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
Before becoming obsolete, USAF's E-3 Sentry fleet, with the DRAGON upgrade, arrived into the modern age and it is expected to have a greater operational capacity well beyond 2025. On 1 December 2021, Scramble Magazine wrote about the USAF's Sentry replacement. Of note is that the NATO E-3 Modernisation Team is simultaneously working on the modifications and upgrades regarding surveillance, communication, and navigation capabilities across their E-3 fleet based at Geilenkirchen (Germany). Read more in the Scramble News item of 2 April 2022.
The following 965th ACCS/552nd ACW OK coded E-3Gs were noted at Nellis during Red Flag 22-2: 75-0558 and 81-0005.
Photos by USAF