Iran destroys U.S. E-3 Sentry in precision strike on Saudi air base

An Iranian strike has destroyed a U.S. Air Force Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base, marking a rare and significant loss of a high-value surveillance asset.

The attack, which took place on 27 March, reportedly hit the aircraft while on the ground. Images suggest a direct and highly precise strike, with additional damage to infrastructure and reports of injured personnel.

The E-3 Sentry, equipped with its distinctive radar dome, acts as a flying command centre, capable of tracking airborne threats over vast distances and coordinating air operations in real time.

With only seventeen (and six deployed in the Gulf region) of these aircraft in service, its destruction represents a notable blow to U.S. situational awareness in the region.

Analysts say the strike highlights a shift towards targeting critical support assets, aiming to disrupt command-and-control capabilities rather than frontline fighters.