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I came across the E-3 AWACS aircraft with the designation E-3, I could not find what the letter E means in E-3.

fooot
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Balaramakrishna Rachumallu
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1 Answers1

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The E isn't exactly the short form of a word as it is a mission designation. In the US military's Tri-Service aircraft designation system, E indicates that the aircraft performs special electronic missions. Similarly, F implies the aircraft is a fighter aircraft and B indicates the aircraft performs bombing missions.

edit: here is the US military aircraft designation system

ironduke97
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    Sounds like E is the short form of "electronic" – Josef Jul 10 '18 at 12:41
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    @Josef yes, but they aren't all that way. L is cold weather, K is tanker, etc. – Marshall Tigerus Jul 10 '18 at 14:07
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    @MarshallTigerus: I thought K for tankers came from "K"erosene (jet fuel)? – Vikki Jul 10 '18 at 16:08
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    @Sean or just tanKer (like coLd weather). The US military has a long history of it, though. e.g. carriers being CV comes from them being a cruiser hull (C) using heavier than air aircraft (V). – Marshall Tigerus Jul 10 '18 at 16:19
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    @MarshallTigerus: And here I thought CV was an abbreviation for "(aircraft-) "C"arrier "V"essel". Guess I learnt something new today! – Vikki Jul 10 '18 at 16:21