$1B US Command aircraft destroyed in Iranian strike on Saudi Air base

An Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia has reportedly destroyed a key United States airborne command aircraft valued at more than $1 billion, in what analysts say could significantly impact regional air operations.

Newly released imagery appears to show a destroyed Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft at the base, with its fuselage torn open and extensively burned, damage consistent with a total loss. The E-3 Sentry is part of the US military’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), serving as a flying radar and command centre capable of tracking threats and coordinating air operations across vast areas.

The loss is considered significant due to the limited number of such aircraft. The US is understood to operate around 16 E-3 aircraft, with only about half typically available for missions at any given time. Replacement costs for it are estimated to exceed $1 billion per aircraft under current programmes.

The strike also reportedly targeted aerial refuelling assets at the base. Up to six KC-135 Stratotankers were said to be present, with claims that as many as three were destroyed and others damaged.

Experts warn the destruction of the E-3 could create operational challenges. Without AWACS capability, military forces may face reduced situational awareness, slower targeting processes, and diminished coordination across the battlespace.

🚨 Iran’s attack on Prince Sultan Air Base destroyed a U.S. command aircraft that will cost $1B+ to replace — and possibly destroyed three Stratotankers costing $80 million each

New images show a destroyed Boeing E-3 Sentry at the base in Saudi Arabia, with the fuselage torn… https://t.co/tZWIc6dAHV pic.twitter.com/Q6ZkgH4whA

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) March 29, 2026