View source for Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS

{{Short description|Airborne ground surveillance aircraft based on Boeing 707 airliner}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = E-8 Joint STARS
| image = File:E-8 JSTARS 18061F484519-913.jpg
| image_caption = A U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint STARS, in flight
| alt = 
| aircraft_type = [[Battle Management|Airborne Battle Management]] and [[ISTAR]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104507/e-8c-joint-stars/ |title=E-8C Joint Stars}}</ref>
| manufacturer = [[Grumman|Grumman Aerospace Corporation]] <br />[[Northrop Grumman]]
| designer = 
| first_flight = 1 April 1988<ref>[https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/air/e8c-joint-stars E-8C Joint STARS | Northrop Grumman]</ref>
| introduction = 1991
| status = Out of service, on display
| produced = 1988–2005<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/134731/final-joint-stars-aircraft-delivered/ |title=Final Joint STARS aircraft delivered |date=30 March 2005}}</ref>
| primary_user = [[United States Air Force]]
| retired = 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/jstars-last-plane-leaves-robins-air-force-base/93-d6b8395d-0c3f-4b63-b540-f108bf3df5ec |title='Goodbye ole' girl': Last JSTARS plane leaves Robins Air Force Base |date=16 November 2023}}</ref>
| number_built = 17<ref name=firstretired>{{cite web |last=Herk |first=Hans van |title=USAF officially retires first JSTARS |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/usaf-officially-retires-first-jstars |access-date=2022-02-14 |website= scramble.nl |date=13 February 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
| developed_from = [[Boeing 707]]
| variants = 
}}

The '''Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System''' ('''Joint STARS''') is a retired [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) [[airborne ground surveillance]], [[Battle Management|battle management]] and [[Command and control (military)|command and control]] aircraft. It tracked ground vehicles and some aircraft, collected imagery, and relayed tactical pictures to ground and air theater commanders.  Until its retirement in 2023 the aircraft was operated by both active duty USAF and [[Air National Guard]] units, with specially trained [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] personnel as additional flight crew.

==Development==
{{Expand section|date=November 2023}}
Joint STARS evolved from separate [[U.S. Army]] and [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] (USAF) programs to develop technology to detect, locate and attack enemy armor at ranges beyond the [[front line]] of a battle.<ref name="USAF factsheet attribution">{{US Air Force|article= Factsheets: E-8C Joint Stars |url=http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104507/e-8c-joint-stars.aspx |author= |accessdate=29 August 2014}} August 2013.</ref> In 1982, the programs were merged and the USAF became the lead agent. The concept and sensor technology for the E-8 was developed and tested on the [[Tacit Blue]] experimental aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0896tacit/ |access-date=10 March 2020 |title=The (Tacit) Blue Whale}}</ref> The prime contract was awarded to [[Grumman|Grumman Aerospace Corporation]] in September 1985 for two E-8A development systems.

In late 2005, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract for upgrading engines and other systems.<ref name=Re-engining_E-8>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Re-engining-the-E-8-JSTARS-04891/ |title=Re-engining the E-8 JSTARS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924110007/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/re-engining-the-e-8-jstars-04891/ |archive-date=2016-09-24 |work= Defense Industry Daily |date= 23 March 2010 }}</ref>  [[Pratt & Whitney]], in a joint venture with Seven Q Seven (SQS), was contracted to produce and deliver [[Pratt & Whitney JT8D|JT8D-219]] engines for the E-8s. Their greater efficiency would have allowed the Joint STARS to spend more time on station, take off from a wider range of runways, climb faster, fly higher, all with a much reduced cost per flying hour.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usnook.com/english/military/aircraft/earlywarning/2013/0929/63616.html |title=Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS---Usnook---The first portal of US info |website= usnook.com |access-date=2018-11-26}}</ref>

In December 2008, an E-8C test aircraft took its first flight with the new engines.<ref name=Re-engining_E-8/>  In 2009, the company began engine replacement and additional upgrade efforts.<ref name=Re-engining_E-8/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/usa-spending-532m-to-upgrade-its-e8-jstars-eyes-in-the-sky-01527/ |title=USA Spending $532M to Upgrade its E-8 J-STARS Eyes in the Sky |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919143119/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/usa-spending-532m-to-upgrade-its-e8-jstars-eyes-in-the-sky-01527/ |archive-date=2012-09-19 |work=Defense Industry Daily |date=23 November 2005}}</ref>  The re-engining funding was halted in 2009 as the Air Force began to consider other options for performing the JSTARS mission.<ref name=Re-engining_E-8/><ref>[http://www.spyflight.co.uk/767%20mc2a.htm Boeing 767-400ER E-10A] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021070451/http://www.spyflight.co.uk/767%20mc2a.htm |date=2011-10-21}}. Spyflight, June 2008.</ref>

==Design==
{{more citations needed|section|date=November 2023}}
[[File:Northrup Grumman E-8A Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS).jpg|thumb|Northrop Grumman E-8A Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System. The radome for the side-looking radar is visible under the forward fuselage.]]

The E-8C is an aircraft modified from the [[Boeing 707]]-300 series commercial airliner.  The E-8 carries specialized radar, communications, operations and control subsystems. The most prominent external feature is the 40&nbsp;ft (12&nbsp;m) canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage that houses the 24&nbsp;ft (7.3&nbsp;m) [[AN/APG-76#AN/APY-7|APY-7]] [[active electronically scanned array]] [[side looking airborne radar]] antenna.<ref name="USAF factsheet attribution"/>

The E-8C can respond quickly and effectively to support worldwide military contingency operations. It is a jam-resistant system capable of operating while experiencing heavy [[electronic countermeasures]]. The E-8C can fly a mission profile for 9 hours without refueling. Its range and on-station time can be substantially increased through [[in-flight refueling]].

===Radar and systems===
[[File:Pave Mover Antenna Array, view 1, prototype for J-STARS antenna, Norden, 1981-1983 - National Electronics Museum - DSC00429.JPG|thumb|left|[[Pave Mover]] Radar, the prototype for the JSTARS radar]]
[[File:E-8 crewmembers.JPG|thumb|Crew members uploading software onto an E-8 during preparations for a flight|alt=]]

The [[AN/APG-76#AN/APY-7|AN/APY-7]] radar can operate in wide area surveillance, [[Moving target indication|ground moving target indicator]] (GMTI), fixed target indicator (FTI) target classification, and [[synthetic aperture radar]] (SAR) modes.

To pick up moving targets, the [[Doppler radar]] looks at the [[Doppler effect|Doppler]] frequency shift of the returned signal. It can look from a long-range, which the military refers to as a high standoff capability. The antenna can be tilted to either side of the aircraft for a 120-degree field of view covering nearly 19,305 square miles (50,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) and can simultaneously track {{citation needed span|600 targets|date=July 2024}} at more than 152 miles (250&nbsp;km).<ref name="USAF factsheet attribution"/> The GMTI modes cannot pick up objects that are too small, insufficiently dense, or stationary.  Data processing allows the APY-7 to differentiate between armored vehicles (tracked tanks) and trucks, allowing targeting personnel to better select the appropriate ordnance for various targets.

The system's SAR modes can produce images of stationary objects. Objects with many angles (for example, the interior of a pick-up bed) will give a much better radar signature, or specular return. In addition to being able to detect, locate and track large numbers of ground vehicles, the radar has a limited capability to detect helicopters, rotating antennas and low, slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft.<ref name="USAF factsheet attribution"/>

[[File:GMTI JSTARS.jpg|thumb|Joint STARS GMTI overlaid on aerial image|alt=]]
The radar and computer subsystems on the E-8C can gather and display broad and detailed battlefield information. Data is collected as events occur. This includes position and tracking information on enemy and friendly ground forces. The information is relayed in near-real time to the [[United States Army|US Army]]'s common ground stations via the secure jam-resistant surveillance and control data link (SCDL) and to other ground [[C4I]] nodes beyond line-of-sight via ultra high-frequency satellite communications.<ref name="USAF factsheet attribution"/>

Other major E-8C prime mission equipment are the communications/datalink (COMM/DLX) and operations and control (O&C) subsystems. Eighteen operator workstations display computer-processed data in graphic and tabular format on video screens. Operators and technicians perform battle management, surveillance, weapons, intelligence, communications and maintenance functions.

Northrop Grumman has tested the installation of a MS-177 camera on an E-8C to provide real time visual target confirmation.<ref>Matthews, William [https://archive.today/20120731064853/http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4996370&c=FEA&s=TEC Joint STARS Aircraft Tests U-2 Camera in Tandem With Radar] Def News, 1 November 2010</ref>

The [[Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program]] (MP-RTIP) radar system was proposed as a more capable replacement of the AN/APY-7. The USAF ended up pursuing cheaper ways to modernize the E-8, though the MP-RTIP receiver technology did see use in the form of JSTARS Radar Modernization (JSRM).<ref name=did>{{cite web |title=JSTARS Replacement: Competition Opened Wide - Defense Industry Daily |url=https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/jumped-up-jstars-mp-rtip-technology-for-ground-surveillance-planes-05156/ |website=www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ |language=en}}</ref>

===Battle management ===
In missions from peacekeeping operations to major theater war,<ref name="USAF factsheet attribution"/> the E-8C can provide targeting data and intelligence for attack aviation, naval surface fire, field artillery and friendly maneuver forces. The information helps air and land commanders to control the battlespace.<ref name=max1>[https://research.maxwell.af.mil/papers/ay2003/afit/AFIT-GSE-ENY-03-1.pdf Coskuner, Nevin, ''Multimission Aircraft Design Study - Operational Scenarios''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929202448/https://research.maxwell.af.mil/papers/ay2003/afit/AFIT-GSE-ENY-03-1.pdf |date=2011-09-29}}. Air Force Institute of Technology</ref>

The E-8's ground-moving radar can tell approximate number of vehicles, location, speed, and direction of travel. It cannot identify exactly what type of vehicle a target is, tell what equipment it has, or discern whether it is friendly, hostile, or a bystander, so commanders often crosscheck the JSTARS data against other sources. In the Army, JSTARS data is analyzed in and disseminated from a Ground Station Module (GSM).

Other improvement programs that have been applied to the E-8C include JSTARS Net Enabled Weapons (JNEW) and Joint Surface Warfare (JSuW); Blue Force Tracker (BFT); and [[Battlefield Airborne Communications Node]] (BACN) compatibility.<ref name=did/>

==Operational history==
[[File:E-8 pilots cleaning windshields.JPG|thumb|Pilots from [[Robins Air Force Base]] cleaning the windshields of their E-8 before a mission in [[Iraq]]|alt= ]]
{{more citations needed|section|date=November 2023}}

The two E-8A development aircraft were deployed in 1991 to participate in [[Operation Desert Storm]] under the direction of USAF Colonel Harry H. Heimple, Program Director, even though they were still in development. The joint program accurately tracked mobile [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]]i forces, including tanks and [[Scud]] missiles. Crews flew developmental aircraft on 49 combat sorties, accumulating more than 500 combat hours and a 100% mission effectiveness rate.

These Joint STARS developmental aircraft also participated in [[Operation Joint Endeavor]], a [[NATO]] peacekeeping mission, in December 1995. While flying in friendly air space, the test-bed E-8A and pre-production E-8C aircraft monitored ground movements to confirm compliance with the [[Dayton Peace Accords]] agreements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://irp.fas.org/agency/army/mipb/1996-4/baker.htm |title=Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR: Joint STARS in the Balkans}}</ref> Crews flew 95 consecutive operational sorties and more than 1,000 flight hours with a 98% mission effectiveness rate.

The [[93d Air Control Wing]], which activated 29 January 1996, accepted its first aircraft on 11 June 1996, and deployed in support of [[Operation Joint Endeavor]] in October. The provisional 93d Air Expeditionary Group monitored treaty compliance while NATO rotated troops through [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. The first production E-8C and a pre-production E-8C flew 36 operational sorties and more than 470 flight hours with a 100% effectiveness rate. The wing declared initial operational capability 18 December 1997 after receiving the second production aircraft. [[Operation Allied Force]] saw Joint STARS in action again from February to June 1999 accumulating more than 1,000 flight hours and a 94.5% mission-effectiveness rate in support of the U.S.-led [[Kosovo War]].

The twelfth production aircraft, outfitted with an upgraded operations and control subsystem, was delivered to the USAF on 5 November 2001.

On 1 October 2002, the 93d Air Control Wing (93 ACW) was "blended" with the [[116th Bomb Wing]] in a ceremony at [[Robins Air Force Base]] (AFB), [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].  The 116 BW was an [[Air National Guard]] wing equipped with [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|B-1B]] Lancer bombers at Robins. As a result of a USAF reorganization of the B-1B force, all B-1Bs were assigned to active duty wings, resulting in the 116 BW lacking a current mission.  The newly created wing was designated [[116th Air Control Wing]] (116 ACW) and the 93 ACW was inactivated the same day.  The 116 ACW constituted the first fully blended wing of active duty and Air National Guard airmen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.116acw.ang.af.mil/About-Us/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306045335/https://www.116acw.ang.af.mil/About-Us/ |archive-date=2025-03-06 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=www.116acw.ang.af.mil |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> The wing took delivery of the 17th and final E-8C on 23 March 2005.

The E-8C Joint STARS routinely supports various taskings of the Combined Force Command Korea during the [[North Korea]]n winter exercise cycle and for the [[United Nations]] enforcing resolutions on Iraq.

In March 2009, a Joint STARS aircraft was damaged beyond economical repair when a test plug was left on a fuel tank vent, subsequently causing the fuel tank to rupture during in-flight refueling.  There were no casualties but the aircraft sustained $25 million in damage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://defensetech.org/2012/01/27/a-basic-mistake-that-trashed-a-jstars/ |title=A Basic Mistake That Trashed a JSTARS &#124; Defense Tech |access-date=2011-12-11 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127195420/http://defensetech.org/2012/01/27/a-basic-mistake-that-trashed-a-jstars/ |archive-date=2012-01-27}} A Basic Mistake that Trashed a JSTARS</ref><ref name="accrep">{{cite web|title=Executive Summary Aircraft Accident Investigation: E-8C 93-0597, Al-Udeid Air Base 13 march 2009|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2012/e-8c_aor_13mar09.pdf|access-date=20 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127170236/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2012/e-8c_aor_13mar09.pdf|archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref>

In September 2009, [[Loren B. Thompson]] of the [[Lexington Institute]] raised the question of why most of the Joint STARS fleet was sitting idle instead of being used to track insurgents in Afghanistan.  Thompson states that the Joint STARS' radar has an inherent capacity to find what the Army calls 'dismounted' targets—insurgents walking around or placing roadside bombs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/failure-to-use-radar-planes-against-taliban-is-foolish?a=1&c=1129 |title=Lexington Institute|date=3 September 2009|website=lexingtoninstitute.org|access-date=9 May 2018 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807071421/http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/failure-to-use-radar-planes-against-taliban-is-foolish/?a=1&c=1129|archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>  Thompson's neutrality has been questioned by some since Lexington Institute has been heavily funded by defense contractors, including Northrop Grumman.<ref>[http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/121300295470260.xml&coll=3 "Analyst's switch stirs tanker talk"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727220450/http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F121300295470260.xml&coll=3 |date=2009-07-27}} al.com</ref><ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2016/09/02/second-spacex-launch-disaster-in-14-months-hands-air-force-nasa-a-big-headache/#119ab701ca43 SpaceX Launch Disaster] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807032706/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2016/09/02/second-spacex-launch-disaster-in-14-months-hands-air-force-nasa-a-big-headache/ |date=2017-08-07}} forbes.com</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lexingtoninstitute.org/category/defense/|title=Lexington Institute|website=Lexington Institute|access-date=9 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005104519/http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/category/defense/|archive-date=5 October 2017}}</ref> Trials of Joint STARS in Afghanistan were destined to develop tactics, techniques and procedures in tracking dismounted, moving groups of Taliban.<ref>DefenceNews, Issue November 23, 2009.</ref>

In January 2011, Northrop Grumman's E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) test bed aircraft completed the second of two deployments to [[Naval Air Station Point Mugu]], California, in support of the U.S. Navy Joint Surface Warfare Joint Capability Technology Demonstration to test its [[network-enabled weapon]] architecture.  The Joint STARS aircraft executed three Operational Utility Assessment flights and demonstrated its ability to guide anti-ship weapons against surface combatants at a variety of standoff distances in the NEW architecture.

From 2001 to January 2011 the Joint STARS fleet flew more than 63,000 hours in 5,200 combat missions in support of Operations [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|Iraqi Freedom]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom|Enduring Freedom]] and [[Iraq War|New Dawn]].<ref>[http://www.tradershuddle.com/20110117148392/globenewswire/Photo-Release-Northrop-Grumman-s-Joint-STARS-is-Key-Enabler-in-Success-of-U.S.-Navy/Air-Force-Joint-Surface-Warfare-Network-Enabled-Weapon-Joint-Capability-Technology-Demonstration.html Photo Release - Northrop Grumman's Joint STARS is Key Enabler in Success of U.S. Navy/Air Force Joint Surface Warfare Network-Enabled Weapon Joint Capability Technology Demons...] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717083242/http://www.tradershuddle.com/20110117148392/globenewswire/Photo-Release-Northrop-Grumman-s-Joint-STARS-is-Key-Enabler-in-Success-of-U.S.-Navy/Air-Force-Joint-Surface-Warfare-Network-Enabled-Weapon-Joint-Capability-Technology-Demonstration.html |date=2011-07-17}} tradershuddle.com</ref>

On 1 October 2011, the "blended" wing construct of the 116th Air Control Wing (116 ACW), combining Air National Guard and Regular Air Force personnel in a single unit was discontinued.  On this date, the [[461st Air Control Wing]] (461 ACW) was established at Robins AFB as the Air Force's sole active duty E-8 Joint STARS wing while the 116 ACW reverted to a traditional Air National Guard wing within the [[Georgia Air National Guard]].  Both units share the same E-8 aircraft and will often fly with mixed crews, but now function as separate units.

On 1 October 2019, JSTARS ended its continuous presence in the [[United States Central Command]] (USCENTCOM) areas of responsibility. The 18–year deployment was the second-longest deployment in [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] history. In that time, the crews and aircraft flew 10,938 sorties, and 114,426.6 combat hours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=End of an Era: JSTARS flies last sortie out of CENTCOM |url=https://www.116acw.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2003613/end-of-an-era-jstars-flies-last-sortie-out-of-centcom/ |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=116th Air Control Wing|date=30 October 2019}}</ref>

On 11 February 2022, the first of four JSTARS out of the remaining 16 operational JSTARS was retired as detailed in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA). The plane (serial number 92-3289/GA) which was the first to arrive at Robins AFB in 1996 has now been transferred to the [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group]] at [[Davis–Monthan Air Force Base]].<ref name=firstretired />

[[File:Usaf-E8-C-near-Ukraine-border-23Mar22-c14-37UTC.png|thumb|alt=Map|A USAF E-8C near the Ukrainian border on 23 March 2022 circa 14:37 UTC, likely monitoring Russian vehicle movements during the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]]]
From late 2021 to early 2022, E-8C JSTARS aircraft deployed to Europe during the [[prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. Thirty years after entering service, it was performing the type of mission it had originally been intended to: monitoring Russian military activity in Eastern Europe, which it did while operating over Ukrainian airspace<ref>[https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2022/02/above-ukraine-cold-war-spy-plane-finally-tracking-russian-invasion/362288/ Above Ukraine, a Cold War Spy Plane Is Finally Tracking a Russian Invasion]. ''Defense One''. 22 February 2022.</ref> until the start of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion]] in late February 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/amp/nato-loses-isr-capability-over-ukraine-as-putin-closes-airspace/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 |title=NATO loses ISR capability over Ukraine as Putin closes airspace |date=24 February 2022}}</ref>

===Retirement===
The USAF began an analysis of alternatives (AOA) in March 2010 for its next generation GMTI radar aircraft fleet. The study was completed in March 2012 and recommended buying a new business jet-based [[ISTAR#ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)|ISR]] aircraft, such as a version of the [[Boeing 737]], and the [[Gulfstream 550]].<ref name="airandspaceforces_com">{{cite web |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/the-jstars-recap/ |title=The JSTARS Recap}}</ref> The Air Force said Joint STARS was expected to remain in operation through 2030.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-cant-afford-jstars-replacement-369732/ USAF can't afford JSTARS replacement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117142402/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-cant-afford-jstars-replacement-369732/ |date=2013-01-17}} - Flightglobal.com, 20 March 2012.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130802224517/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20121009/C4ISR01/310090012/With-No-Replacement-Sight-Joint-STARS-Feel-Strain With No Replacement in Sight, Joint STARS Feel Strain] - Defensenews.com, 9 October 2012.</ref>

On 23 January 2014, the USAF revealed a plan for the acquisition of a new business jet-class replacement for the E-8C Joint STARS. The program was called Joint STARS Recap and planned for the aircraft to reach initial operating capability (IOC) by 2022. The aircraft would be more efficient, and separate contracts would be awarded for developing the aircraft, airborne sensor, battle management command and control (BMC2) system, and communications subsystem.<ref name="airandspaceforces_com" />

On 8 April 2014, the Air Force held an industry day for companies interested in competing for JSTARS Recap; attendees included [[Boeing]], [[Bombardier Aerospace]], and [[Gulfstream Aerospace]]. Air Force procurement documents called for a replacement for the Boeing 707-based E-8C as a "business jet class" aircraft that is "significantly smaller and more efficient."<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-bombardier-and-gulfstream-attend-jstars-industry-398403/ Boeing, Bombardier and Gulfstream attend JSTARS industry day] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426105857/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-bombardier-and-gulfstream-attend-jstars-industry-398403/ |date=2014-04-26}} - Flightglobal.com, 21 April 2014</ref> Indicative specification were for an aircraft with a 10-13 person crew with a {{convert|3.96|-|6.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} radar array and capable of flying at 38,000&nbsp;ft for eight hours. In August 2015, the Air Force issued contracts to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman for a one-year pre-engineering and manufacturing development effort to mature and test competing designs ahead of a downselect in late 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2015/12/11/pentagon-approves-next-step-for-jstars-recap/ |title=Pentagon Approves Next Step for JSTARS Recap |date=11 December 2015}}</ref>

During the fiscal 2019 budget rollout briefing it was announced that the Air Force would not move forward with an E-8C replacement aircraft. Funding for the JSTARS recapitalization program was instead be diverted to pay for development of an Advanced Battle Management System.<ref>[https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/02/12/air-force-kills-jstars-upgrade.html "Air Force Kills JSTARS Upgrade"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084351/https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/02/12/air-force-kills-jstars-upgrade.html |date=2018-02-15}} Military.com, 12 February 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jstars-replacement-cancelled-in-new-usaf-budget-plan-445844/ "JSTARS replacement cancelled in new USAF budget plan"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084107/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jstars-replacement-cancelled-in-new-usaf-budget-plan-445844/ |date=2018-02-15}} FlightGlobal, 13 February 2018</ref>

The E-8C JSTARS began to be retired in February 2022, and flew its last operational sortie on 21 September 2023. Rather than procure a replacement aircraft, the USAF intends to use a network of satellites, aircraft sensors and ground radars as a cheaper and more resilient approach to collecting similar targeting and tracking data.<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2023/10/02/air-forces-jstars-flies-last-intel-mission-after-3-decades-in-service/ "Air Force's JSTARS flies last intel mission after 3 decades in service"]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 2 October 2023.</ref> The JSTARS performed its last flight on 15 November 2023. The aircraft conducted some 14,000 operational sorties, flying more than 141,000 hours over 32 years of service.<ref>[https://www.airandspaceforces.com/last-jstars-e-8-retires/ JSTARS Flies West: USAF Retires Its Last E-8C]. ''Air & Space Forces Magazine''. 16 November 2023.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8106384/photo-joint-stars-sunset-celebration |title=Photo of Joint STARS Sunset Celebration}}</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:T-3 with JT8D-219 engines.JPG|thumb|E-8C performing flight testing with JT8D-219 engines at [[Edwards Air Force Base|Edwards AFB]]|alt= ]]

;E-8A
: Original platform configuration<ref name=dod4120>DoD 4120.15L, ''Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles''</ref>
;TE-8A
: Single aircraft with mission equipment removed, used for flight crew training.<ref name=dod4120/>
;YE-8B
: Single aircraft, was to be a U.S. Navy [[Boeing E-6 Mercury]] but transferred to the U.S. Air Force as a development aircraft before it was decided to convert second-hand [[Boeing 707]]s (one from a Canadian [[Boeing CC-137]]) for the JSTARS role.{{cn|date=November 2023}}
;E-8C
: Production Joint STARS platform configuration,<ref name=dod4120/> converted from second-hand Boeing 707s (1 from a CC-137).{{cn|date=November 2023}}

==Operators==
;{{USA}}
*[[United States Air Force]] 1991–2023<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/2023-usaf-ussf-almanac-equipment/ |date=22 June 2023 |website= Airandspaceforces.com |access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
*[[93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing|93d Air Control Wing]] - [[Robins Air Force Base]], Georgia 1996–2002
**[[12th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]]
**[[16th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=16th Airborne Command and Control Squadron flies final local sortie |url=https://www.robins.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3153251/16th-airborne-command-and-control-squadron-flies-final-local-sortie/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=USAF Robins Air Force Base |date=9 September 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[461st Air Control Wing]] - [[Robins Air Force Base]], Georgia 2002–2023
**[[12th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]]
**[[16th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]]
*[[Air National Guard]] - 2006–2023
*[[116th Air Control Wing]] - Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
**[[128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]]

==Aircraft on display==
* E-8C 00-2000 is preserved at the [[Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins)|Museum of Aviation]] at [[Robins Air Force Base]], Georgia. It was transported from the base to the museum's facilities in July 2023.<ref name="Johnson 2023 w612">{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Kisha Foster |title=Final destination: JSTARS aircraft transferred to Museum of Aviation |website=Robins Air Force Base |date=2023-07-16 |url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3471249/final-destination-jstars-aircraft-transferred-to-museum-of-aviation/ |access-date=2023-08-09}}</ref>
* TE-8A 86-0416 was transferred to the [[Sowela Technical Community College]] in [[Lake Charles, Louisiana]] on 19 September 2023. It will be used as a ground aircraft maintenance training tool as part of the college's Aviation Maintenance Technology program. This aircraft was one of the original two pre-production E-8A which took part in [[Operation Desert Storm]] in 1991, and also saw action during [[Operation Joint Endeavor]] in 1995. Afterward, it was converted into a TE-8A training aircraft and used to qualify E-8C pilots, navigators, and flight engineers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.americanpress.com/2023/09/19/sowela-welcomes-j-stars-boeing-707/ |title=Sowela welcomes E-8A J-STARS jet |date=19 September 2023}}</ref>
*E-8C 02-9111, the last JSTARS aircraft in service, was transferred to [[Kelly Field]], [[San Antonio]], Texas, on 15 November 2023, where it serves as a ground training aircraft in the [[37th Training Wing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wgxa.tv/news/local/end-of-an-era-final-j-stars-aircraft-departs-from-robins-afb-after-21-years-of-service |title=End of an era: Final J-STARS aircraft departs from Robins AFB after 21 years of service |date=17 November 2023 |website=wgxa.tv |accessdate= }}</ref>

==Accidents==
One E-8C was damaged beyond economical repair during an operational sortie.
* On 13 March 2009, E-8C tail 93-0597, while assigned to the USAF [[379th Air Expeditionary Wing]], experienced a near catastrophic fuel tank over-pressurization during aerial refueling. While refueling from a [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|Boeing KC-135T Stratotanker]] a test plug left in the fuel vent system caused overpressure resulting in severe internal damage to the number two fuel tank and surrounding wing structure. The JSTARS crew were able to make a successful emergency landing at Al Udeid Air Base, and the aircraft was written off.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090313-0 |title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing E-8C (707) 93-0597 Qatar}}</ref>

==Specifications==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=USAF Factsheet<ref name="USAF factsheet attribution"/>
|prime units?=kts
<!--  General characteristics
-->
|crew=4 flight crew (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer)
|capacity=18 specialists (crew size varies according to mission)
|length m=46.61
|span m=44.42
|height m=12.95
|empty weight lb=171,000
|max takeoff weight lb=336,000
<!--  Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=4
|eng1 name= [[Pratt & Whitney JT3D|Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-102]]
|eng1 type=low-bypass turbofan engines
|eng1 lbf=19,200
<!--  Performance
-->
|cruise speed kts=390
|cruise speed note= to {{convert|510|kn|km/h|abbr=on|0}}
* '''Optimum orbit speed:''' {{convert|449|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0}} to {{convert|587|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0}}
|endurance=9 hours
|ceiling ft=42,000
|avionics=
*[[AN/APG-76|AN/APY-7]] [[synthetic aperture radar]]
*12 [[AN/ARC-225]] UHF radios w/ [[HAVE QUICK]]
*2 [[AN/ARC-190]] HF radios
*4 VHF radios (2 x [[AN/ARC-210]], 1 x [[AN/ARC-186]], 1 x [[AN/ARC-201]]D)
*3 [[AN/ARC-231]] SATCOM radios
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|see also=
* {{annotated link|Airborne early warning and control}}
|related=
* {{annotated link|Boeing C-137 Stratoliner}}
* {{annotated link|Boeing CC-137}} – parts from most of the ex-[[Canadian Forces]] 707 obtained for spares for the E-8 STARS program and two ex-CF converted as E-8 and E-8C
* {{annotated link|Boeing E-3 Sentry}}
* {{annotated link|Boeing E-6 Mercury}}

|similar aircraft=
* {{annotated link|Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye}}
* {{annotated link|Embraer R-99|Embraer R-99B}}
* {{annotated link|Raytheon Sentinel}}

|lists=
* {{annotated link|List of active military aircraft of the United States}}
* [[List of military electronics of the United States]]
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{Cite book |editor-last=Eden |editor-first=Paul |title=The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft |date=July 2006 |location=London, UK |publisher=Amber Books, 2004 |isbn=1-904687-84-9 |ref={{harvid|Eden|2004}}}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090914123633/http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/e8cjointstars/index.html Northrop Grumman Joint STARS System Information]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080330213255/http://www.es.northropgrumman.com/solutions/jstars/index.html Northrop Grumman Joint STARS Radar Information]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080213053112/http://www.boeing.com/ids/index.html Boeing Integrated Defense Systems]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080322003542/http://www.es.northropgrumman.com/by_capability/militaryaviation/surveillance/index.html Northrop Grumman ISR overview]
* [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080408234207/http://www.pw.utc.com/StaticFiles/Pratt%20&%20Whitney/News/Fact%20Sheets/Assets/Documents/military_06-2007_JT8D-219.doc Joint STARS Re-engine Program Info]

{{US EW aircraft}}
{{707 military variants}}
{{Grumman aircraft}}
{{USAF system codes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Stars}}
[[Category:Boeing aircraft|E-08 Joint STARS]]
[[Category:1980s United States command and control aircraft|E-08 Joint Stars]]
[[Category:Quadjets]]
[[Category:Boeing 707|E-8 Joint Stars]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1991]]
[[Category:Northrop Grumman aircraft|E-08 Joint STARS]]
[[Category:Northrop Grumman radars|E-08 Joint STARS]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]