I came across the E-3 AWACS aircraft with the designation E-3, I could not find what the letter E means in E-3.
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1$\begingroup$ Related $\endgroup$ – Pondlife Jul 10 '18 at 13:50
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The E isn't exactly the short form of a word as it is a mission designation. In the US military's Tri-Service aircraft designation system, E indicates that the aircraft performs special electronic missions. Similarly, F implies the aircraft is a fighter aircraft and B indicates the aircraft performs bombing missions.
edit: here is the US military aircraft designation system
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6$\begingroup$ Sounds like E is the short form of "electronic" 🤔 $\endgroup$ – Josef says Reinstate Monica Jul 10 '18 at 12:41
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4$\begingroup$ @Josef yes, but they aren't all that way. L is cold weather, K is tanker, etc. $\endgroup$ – Marshall Tigerus Jul 10 '18 at 14:07
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2$\begingroup$ @MarshallTigerus: I thought K for tankers came from "K"erosene (jet fuel)? $\endgroup$ – Vikki - formerly Sean Jul 10 '18 at 16:08
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2$\begingroup$ @Sean or just tanKer (like coLd weather). The US military has a long history of it, though. e.g. carriers being CV comes from them being a cruiser hull (C) using heavier than air aircraft (V). $\endgroup$ – Marshall Tigerus Jul 10 '18 at 16:19
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1$\begingroup$ @MarshallTigerus: And here I thought CV was an abbreviation for "(aircraft-) "C"arrier "V"essel". Guess I learnt something new today! $\endgroup$ – Vikki - formerly Sean Jul 10 '18 at 16:21
