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AWACS

American

[ey-waks] / ˈeɪ wæks /

noun

a sophisticated detection aircraft, fitted with powerful radar and a computer, capable of simultaneously tracking and plotting large numbers of low-flying aircraft at much greater distances than is possible with ground radar.

AWACS British

/ ˈeɪwæks /

acronym

airborne warning and control system

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of AWACS

1965–70; A(irborne) W(arning) A(nd) C(ontrol) S(ystem)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Russian aircraft also seemingly spotted the French AWACS: Sensors along the fuselage picked up Russian radar signals.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2024

The U.S. aircraft involved in the incident included F-16 and F-22 fighter jets, KC-135 stratotankers and E-3 AWACS, according to the statement.

From Reuters • May 14, 2023

Airborne Warning and Control Systems, or AWACS, aircraft — the eyes and ears of battlefield commanders — as well as cruise missiles and spy satellites.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2022

Air Force is looking Down Under as it prepares to ditch the workhorse but aging fleet of E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft, popularly known as AWACS.

From Washington Times • Apr. 27, 2022

But concern centers on the AWACS, which are capable of tracking planes and ships within a 250-mile range.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023