One of the least known yet most important platforms in the United States Air Force (USAF) inventory is assigned the designation E-11A. It is one of two airframes modified to serve as a Battlefield Airborne Communications Node - or BACN. Utilising the airframe of a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express business jet, the E-11A is a manned aircraft that until recently shared the relay/gateway role with the EQ-4B variant of the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk unmanned air system (UAS). Described as 'Wi-Fi in the sky', the system proved an invaluable asset in the skies over Afghanistan, where it operated on a 24/7 basis.
展开▼
