Early aerial warning aircraft, known by the acronym AWACS, have been essential tools of NATO air power since the 70s. Capable of detecting enemy aircraft at great distances, even when flying on a grazing trajectory. to use field masking, they can direct allied aircraft to carry out interceptions in the best conditions, and optimize available resources.
Two aircraft are symbolic in this area: the E-2 Hawkeye which equips the American and French navy, but also the Japanese self-defense forces, and the Israeli air force, and the E-3 Sentry, the Awacs of the NATO and several US allied countries. These devices are reaching the end of their life, and the question of their replacement arises. Among the offerings, the E-7 Wedgetail seems to have all the necessary qualities, and the United Kingdom is interested.
Russia and China have also developed their own awacs, such as the Russian Il-50 Mainstay, or the Chinese KJ-500/600. But above all, these two countries developed strategies and equipment intended to eliminate opposing awacs from the sky from the start of the conflict. Thus, Russia has developed the KS-172 and especially R-37 missiles, whose range can reach 400 km, powered by a ramjet, and specially designed to eliminate NATO Awacs and tankers. China has developed the PL15 missile, whose range would also reach 400 km.
Carried by stealth aircraft, such as the Su-57 or the J-20, or more simply by discreet aircraft, such as the Rafale, the range of the missile is then much greater than the detection range of the detection aircraft. However, unlike a strategic bomber or a tanker, an advanced aerial detection aircraft cannot be electromagnetically passive, because its primary function is to carry a radar, by definition active.
This is the reason why the very concept of Awacs may disappear, in its current form, in the more or less short term, and in any case from the spectrum of high-intensity employment.
To replace them, the military and industrialists are working on remote mesh detection, carried out by drones and stealth planes, exchanging their information in a network so as to offer a map of the global sky, but having sufficient maneuverability to avoid long missiles. carried, and with sufficient discretion not to be engaged without being able to respond.
This is indeed the only effective virtue of the F-35, which however does not justify its exorbitant price.