747 vs E-3 Sentry AWACS

747

American wide-body commercial jet airliner, conceived in the 1960s and renowned for transcontinental and transatlantic flights.
Picture of 747
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Special Mission Aircraft
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 9 February 1969
Year introduced 1970
Number produced 1574 units
Average unit price $285 million
American airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft, principally used in NATO, UK, France, and Saudi Arabia since the Cold War.
Picture of E-3 Sentry AWACS
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Special Mission Aircraft
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 9 February 1972
Year introduced 1977
Number produced 68 units
Average unit price $270 million

747

Wing area 511.0 m² ◉
Wingspan 59.6 m â—‰
Height 19.3 m â—‰
Length 70.6 m â—‰
Maximum speed 1014 km/h â—‰
Operational range 12,150 km â—‰
Service ceiling 13,746 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 377,842 kg â—‰
Empty weight 173,726 kg â—‰
Total thrust 4 x 25,719 kgf â—‰
Profile drawing of Boeing 747
Wing area 283.0 m² ◉
Wingspan 44.4 m â—‰
Height 12.6 m â—‰
Length 46.6 m â—‰
Maximum speed 853 km/h â—‰
Operational range 7,400 km â—‰
Service ceiling 10,668 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 147,417 kg â—‰
Empty weight 83,915 kg â—‰
Total thrust 4 x 9,752 kgf â—‰
Profile drawing of Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS

Performance Radar Chart

Photo of 747 by Boeing Dreamscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the 747 or E-3 Sentry AWACS?
The 747 is faster with a maximum speed of 1,014 km/h compared to the E-3 Sentry AWACS's 853 km/h, a difference of 161 km/h.
Which has longer range, the 747 or E-3 Sentry AWACS?
The 747 has a longer range at 12,150 km compared to the E-3 Sentry AWACS's 7,400 km.
Which can fly higher, the 747 or E-3 Sentry AWACS?
The 747 has a higher service ceiling at 13,746 meters (45,098 ft) compared to the E-3 Sentry AWACS's 10,668 meters (35,000 ft).
Which is heavier, the 747 or E-3 Sentry AWACS?
The 747 has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 377,842 kg compared to the E-3 Sentry AWACS's 147,417 kg.
Which is larger, the 747 or E-3 Sentry AWACS?
The 747 is longer at 70.6 meters compared to the E-3 Sentry AWACS's 46.6 meters.
Which is more expensive, the 747 or E-3 Sentry AWACS?
The 747 is more expensive at approximately $285 million per unit compared to the E-3 Sentry AWACS at $270 million.
Which entered service first, the 747 or E-3 Sentry AWACS?
The 747 entered service first in 1970, 7 years before the E-3 Sentry AWACS which entered service in 1977.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the 747 or E-3 Sentry AWACS?
The 747 has been produced in greater numbers with 1,574 units compared to 68 units of the E-3 Sentry AWACS.