Beriev A-50 vs E-3 Sentry (AWACS): how to tell them apart

Two transport and support aircraft that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

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Beriev A-50

Transport or support aircraft, Soviet Union. In service since 1985

What gives it away

Il-76 transport with a big round radar dish on two struts above the fuselage.

Used by

Russia, India

E-3 Sentry (AWACS)

Transport or support aircraft, USA. In service since 1977

What gives it away

Four-engine Boeing 707 with a huge rotating radar dish on two struts above the rear fuselage.

Used by

USA, NATO, France, Saudi Arabia

Beriev A-50 · E-3 Sentry (AWACS) · All guides