Fleet of RAF surveillance aircraft grounded after electrical fault

Fault discovered during routine technical inspections

Sentry E-3D (Wikimedia Commons)

A fleet of RAF surveillance aircraft has been grounded after the discovery of an electrical fault.

Six Sentry E-3D, two of which have been assigned for use in Syria and Iraq, could be out of action for several weeks.

The fault was discovered during routine inspections and it is the second time in the space of four years the planes have been grounded, the BBC reported.

An RAF Spokesperson said: “As a result of routine technical Inspections on RAF E-3D Sentry aircraft, an issue has been identified relating to the integrity of some electrical wiring and cabin conditioning systems.

“Safety remains our paramount concern, therefore, the UK Sentry fleet will only fly again once the on-going rectification work is complete.”

The aircraft, which is based on a Boeing 707, carries out early warning duties, surveillance and allows commanders to organise military air campaigns.

Other nation’s Sentry’s are still flying worldwide, so UK Sentry operations in Iraq and Syria are being completed by coalition allies.

All aircraft are expected to be fixed and back in use over the coming weeks.