For decades the U.S. Air Force has relied on the E-3 Sentry, and the most recent version, the E-3G, has been upgraded with more modern electronics and software to keep up with new threats.
'The best way to describe it is kind of like the quarterback in the sky," said Air Force Col. Keven Coyle, commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing.
In the most recent budget, Congress appropriated an additional $200 million for the Air Force to develop a prototype to meet that need.
A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail takes off during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022.
A U.S. Air Force E-3G taxies on a runway at Tinker AFB By Brad Howard, CNBC