An acronym for [b]A[/b]irborne [b]W[/b]arning [b]A[/b]nd [b]C[/b]ontrol [b]S[/b]ystem. An AWACS plane is typically a modified civilian airliner with extensive electronics systems and a massive radar dish mounted to the top of the plane's fuselage. Their purpose is to coordinate the activities of large numbers of military aircraft in lieu of a traditional control tower, in addition to providing quick notice of sudden battlefield changes as well as periodically providing electronic warfare support.
awacs