E-8C

FILE PHOTO -- The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is the only airborne platform in operation that can maintain realtime surveillance over a corps-sized area of the battlefield. A joint Air Force - Army program, the Joint STARS uses a multi-mode side looking radar to detect, track, and classify moving ground vehicles in all conditions deep behind enemy lines. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Final Joint STARS aircraft delivered

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Officials of the 116th Air Control Wing here received the 17th and final E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft March 23. The wing is the only unit to fly the aircraft. The Joint STARS aircraft is the world's most advanced wide-area airborne ground surveillance, targeting and battle management system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Mary Smith)

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Joint Stars

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- An E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System from the 93rd Air Control Wing flies a refueling mission over the skies of Georgia. The Department of Defense will soon deploy Joint STARS and Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle surveillance systems over the Afghan theater of operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The E-8C is an airborne battle management and command and control platform that conducts ground surveillance to develop an understanding of the enemy situation and to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John Lasky)

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J-STARS

FILE PHOTO -- The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is the only airborne platform in operation that can maintain realtime surveillance over a corps-sized area of the battlefield. A joint Air Force - Army program, the Joint STARS uses a multi-mode side looking radar to detect, track, and classify moving ground vehicles in all conditions deep behind enemy lines. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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E-8C JOINT STARS

Current as of December 1, 2025

MISSION
The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. Its primary mission is to provide theater ground and air commanders with ground surveillance to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption, and destruction of enemy forces.

FEATURES
The E-8C is a modified Boeing 707-300 series commercial airframe extensively modified with the radar, communications, operations, and control subsystems required to perform its operational mission.

E-8C

Final Joint STARS aircraft delivered

Joint Stars

J-STARS