Program · United States · U.S. Air Force
E-3 Sentry (AWACS)
Airborne warning and control aircraft providing surveillance, tracking and battle management.
Updated
FieldedU.S. Air Force
Awarded
—
Across linked awards
Cost to the Government
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Program totals · 2 | ||
| NATO final modernization programBoeing-led modernization funded by 16 participating Allies. Not a U.S. award, aircraft purchase or annual operating cost. | $1BNominal $; source budget basis | NATO AWACS fleet and final modernization NATO · figure Undated NATO program page |
| R&D program totalA lifetime program R&D total was not established. Development contracts and shared program budgets are not substituted for that total. | Not established | — |
| Unit costs · 1 | ||
| Historical published unit costAir Force figure in fiscal 1998 constant dollars; no current production or replacement price is implied. | $270MConstant FY1998 $ | E-3 Sentry fact sheet, September 2015 snapshot U.S. Air Force · figure September 2015 fact sheet |
| Quantities · 2 | ||
| Historical total-aircraft inventory planBudget inventory plan, not a verified October 2026 operational or mission-capable count. | 16U.S. only; stated source scope | FY2025 Air Force budget overview: aircraft inventory plan U.S. Air Force · figure FY2025 · PB2025 |
| U.S. inventoryA current U.S. inventory was not established. Annual procurement, cumulative deliveries and production capacity are not a stockpile count. | Not established | — |
| Operating costs · 1 | ||
| Reimbursement / flight hourOther DoD Component rate. Billing reference, not fully burdened operating cost or proof of operational status. | $38,319 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026 |
Program totals · 2
- NATO final modernization programBoeing-led modernization funded by 16 participating Allies. Not a U.S. award, aircraft purchase or annual operating cost.NATO AWACS fleet and final modernization NATO · figure Undated NATO program page$1BNominal $; source budget basis
- R&D program totalA lifetime program R&D total was not established. Development contracts and shared program budgets are not substituted for that total.Source not recordedNot established
Unit costs · 1
- Historical published unit costAir Force figure in fiscal 1998 constant dollars; no current production or replacement price is implied.E-3 Sentry fact sheet, September 2015 snapshot U.S. Air Force · figure September 2015 fact sheet$270MConstant FY1998 $
Quantities · 2
- Historical total-aircraft inventory planBudget inventory plan, not a verified October 2026 operational or mission-capable count.FY2025 Air Force budget overview: aircraft inventory plan U.S. Air Force · figure FY2025 · PB202516U.S. only; stated source scope
- U.S. inventoryA current U.S. inventory was not established. Annual procurement, cumulative deliveries and production capacity are not a stockpile count.Source not recordedNot established
Operating costs · 1
- Reimbursement / flight hourOther DoD Component rate. Billing reference, not fully burdened operating cost or proof of operational status.FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026$38,319 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
Earlier observations · 2
Superseded estimates and prices, each in its original scope and dollar basis.
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unit costs · 1 | ||
| Historical published unit costAir Force figure in fiscal 1998 constant dollars; no current production or replacement price is implied. | $270MConstant FY1998 $ | E-3 Sentry fact sheet, September 2015 snapshot U.S. Air Force · figure September 2015 fact sheet |
| Operating costs · 1 | ||
| Reimbursement / flight hourOther DoD Component rate. Billing reference, not fully burdened operating cost or proof of operational status. | $38,319 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026 |
Unit costs · 1
- Historical published unit costAir Force figure in fiscal 1998 constant dollars; no current production or replacement price is implied.E-3 Sentry fact sheet, September 2015 snapshot U.S. Air Force · figure September 2015 fact sheet$270MConstant FY1998 $
Operating costs · 1
- Reimbursement / flight hourOther DoD Component rate. Billing reference, not fully burdened operating cost or proof of operational status.FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026$38,319 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
The old fact sheet is not a current fleet register
The 2015 page contains differing 31- and 32-aircraft references. Neither is presented as current; the later budget plan is dated separately.
E-3 Sentry fact sheet, September 2015 snapshot U.S. Air Force · +1 more
E-7 development is a different cost account
E-3 sustainment and E-7 prototype spending concern different aircraft. Replacement development should not inflate the legacy E-3 unit figure.
E-7A prototype award, February 28, 2023 U.S. Air Force
International buyers · 2
| Country | Qty | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United StatesPurchases and program plans are not a current operational inventory. | Not verified | U.S. program customer | E-3 Sentry fact sheet, September 2015 snapshot U.S. Air Force · figure Dated source snapshot |
| NATO (multinational)18 originally acquired; four retired or decommissioned. NATO-owned fleet is separate from U.S. E-3 inventory. | 14 | Alliance-owned E-3A fleet | NATO AWACS fleet and final modernization NATO · figure NATO page reviewed Oct 9, 2026 |
Open research: Buyer records are selected examples, not a complete global order book. Current U.S. operational inventory was not established; dated purchases, deliveries and plans remain separate. A system-specific lifetime R&D total was not established.
What the government budgets and pays for this program, from budget justification books, appropriations, acquisition reports and contract announcements. Each figure states its dollar basis. What contractors were obligated is under Contracts.