US Air Force halts flights of legendary E-3 Sentry planes - tail may fall off

An E-3 Sentry inspection has brought Boeing's legendary long-range radar detection aircraft to a halt. Their tails may be falling off.

Here's What We Know

During an inspection, a problem was discovered with a tail-fin fixing element. This was reported by Defense News, citing the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.

The military said that all long-range radar detection aircraft in service with the US Air Force had undergone the check, with the exception of aircraft sent out for maintenance. But they too will be checked. At the same time, US Air Force spokeswoman Captain Laura Hayden declined to answer the question of how many E-3 Sentry's are temporarily out of service.

The E-3 Sentry is a legendary aircraft based on the Boeing 707 that made its maiden flight in 1972. It is equipped with a huge dish-shaped radar. It has recently become known that the US Air Force has allocated $ 1.2 billion for the production of E-7 Wedgetail, which will replace the E-3 Sentry. In total, the USA wants 26 E-7s.

It is also worth noting that the U.S. has recently ceased flight of 400 aircraft based on the Boeing C-135 Stratolifter. The question is about air refuelers KC-135, scouts RC-135 and special purpose planes WC-135. The problem was the vertical stabilizer support.

Source: Defence News