sentinel28a on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/sentinel28a/art/100th-EWS-EKL-1011-Tristar-339767739sentinel28a

Deviation Actions

sentinel28a's avatar

100th EWS EKL-1011 Tristar

By
Published:
378 Views

Description

Here's another one that was fun to do: an electronic warfare version of the venerable Lockheed L-1011 Tristar.

Quite a few countries use some sort of electronic warfare (EW) aircraft. Besides jamming enemy communications, some can gather electronic signals for intelligence purposes (SIGINT/ELINT), monitor other nations to make sure they're complying with arms treaties (Open Skies), broadcast propaganda and psychological warfare (Psyops), provide early warning of missile attacks, or even take over other nations' TV signals!

Most of the EW work done is highly classified, but you can usually tell which aircraft have been modified for this purpose. The USAF uses a variety of C-135/707 airframes, the British and Israelis use modified high-end business jets (the RAF used to use Nimrod R.1s), Russia uses a wide variety of converted Il-20s and Il-22s, China uses their Y-8 transports, and even Brazil gets into the act with its modded ERJs.

The EKL-1011 is based off of the USAF's EC-135V Rivet Joint, used mainly for jamming and Elint purposes--hence the antenna farms, side-looking radar bulges, extended nose, and so on. It retains its refuelling capability. There's a lot of L-1011s just sitting in the desert, so this would be a low-cost update to the USAF's--or in my case, my fictional air force's--capabilities.

The Latin translates to "Knowledge Itself is Power."
Image size
912x1024px 155.07 KB
© 2012 - 2024 sentinel28a
Comments0
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In