E8C Joint Stars

E8C Joint Stars

The E-8C is a modified Boeing 707-300 series commercial airframe extensively remanufactured and modified with the radar, communications, operations and control subsystems required to perform its operational mission. The most prominent external feature is the 40-foot (12 meters) long, canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage that houses the 24-foot (7.3 meters) long, side-looking phased array antenna.

The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (E8C Joint STARS) is an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. Its primary mission is to provide theater ground and air commanders with ground surveillance to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces.

Joint STARS evolved from Army and Air Force programs to develop, detect, locate and attack enemy armor at ranges beyond the forward area of troops. The first two developmental aircraft deployed in 1991 to Operation Desert Storm and also supported Operation Joint Endeavor in December 1995.

Stealth Bomber	A10 Thunderbolt	AC130 Gunship	B1B Lancer
B2 Spirit	B52 Stratofortress	C130 Hercules	C141 Starlifter
C17 Globemaster III	C5 Galaxy	E8C Joint Stars	F117A Nighthawk
F15 Eagle	Global Hawk	T1A Jayhawk	T38 Talon