Grumman / Boeing E-8 J-Stars

Boeing E-8A Joint STARS, 86-0417. USAF Northrop Grumman, ex N8411 Boeing 707-323C American Airlines. Le Bourget Air show 1995.

The Grumman Boeing E-8 J-STARS system conducts ground surveillance, enabling commanders to develop an understanding of the enemies situation, and to support attack operations and targeting. From a standoff position, the aircraft - a modified Boeing 707-320 series commercial aircraft - detects, locates, classifies, tracks and targets hostile ground movements, communicating real-time information through secure data links with US Air Force and US Army command posts. The most prominent external feature is the 12 meters long, canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage that houses the 7,3 meters long, side-looking phase array antenna. From racetrack orbit the E-8 uses the Norden radar to peer sideways in three modes to build up a complete picture of all ground movements within its search sector.

Developing Nation:	United States
First Flight(s):	E-8A: December 1988, 86-0416
First Delivery:	June 11th 1996
First Operational:	Dessert Storm January and February 1991
Task:	Airborne command post that will detect, locate, track and classify enemy ground formation at long range.

Specifications: E-8C J-STARS
Crew:	Standard mission 3 flight crew and 18 operators Long-endurance 6 flight crew and 28 operators
Wing span:	44,42 m
Length:	46,61 m
Height:	12,93 m
Engine (s):	Four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B
Weights empty:	77.565 kg
Max. take-off weight:	152.409 kg
Max. payload:	43.603 kg
Fuel:	72.375 kg
Cruise speed:	Normal 860 km/h max. 973 km/h
Operating altitude:	10.670 m
Max. range:	9.270 km
Performance:	Max. endurance 11 hours, with aerial refueling 20 hours

The Grumman Boeing E-8A J-STARS deployed in 1991 to participate in Operation Desert Storm even though they were still in development. The joint program accurately tracked mobile Iraqi forces, including tanks and Scud missiles. Crews flew developmental aircraft on 49 combat sorties accumulating more than 500 combat hours and a 100 percent mission effectiveness rate. A USAF after-action report noted that Joint STARS denied the enemy its night sanctuary and kept continual pressure on ground troops in the Kuwait Theater of operations.

Joint STARS developmental aircraft were also called to support the NATO peacekeeping mission, Operation Joint Endeavor in December 1995. While flying in friendly air space, the test-bed E-8A and pre-production E-8C aircraft monitored ground movements to confirm compliance with the Dayton Peace Treaty agreements. Crews flew 95 consecutive operational sorties and more than 1000 flight hours with a 98 percent mission effectiveness rate.