OVERVIEW: The RE 3A Sentry is a tactical SIGINT reconnaissance aircraft in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force. Introduced around 2000, it is configured for both ELINT and COMINT missions, enabling comprehensive electromagnetic intelligence gathering.

DETAILS: Converted from Boeing KE 3A tanker airframes in the late 1990s, the first RE 3A entered Saudi service circa 2000, followed by a second airframe a few years later. The platform retains CFM56‑2 turbofan engines, cruises near Mach 0.48, operates up to about 9,000 m, and offers more than 8 hours of endurance.
It features external SIGINT sensors including ventral antenna arrays, cheek fairings, dorsal blades, and wingtip pods. Internally, it carries Raytheon TASS ELINT suites and L3Harris BlackRock COMINT systems, with geolocation processors and operator consoles calibrated for radar and communication signal detection, classification, and analysis.
The RE 3A is a palletized mission variant focused on radar intelligence, communications interception, and electronic order-of-battle mapping. It was modernized in 2018 to align with RC‑135 Rivet Joint Baseline 11 standards and received further SIGINT upgrades in 2023 under a U.S. Foreign Military Sale, integrating secure communications, enhanced GPS/INS navigation, and multiband COMINT receivers.

TYPE: Tactical SIGINT Reconnaissance Aircraft

FUNCTION: Designed to detect, classify, and geolocate radar and communication emissions in support of Saudi national defense, maritime surveillance, and coalition operations. Its endurance and passive sensor suite enable extended stand‑off missions without entering contested airspace.

NOTE:
IOC: circa 2000
Manufacturer: Boeing airframe with conversion by Raytheon and L3Harris
Operator: Royal Saudi Air Force 19 Squadron Prince Sultan AB
Fleet: Two RE 3A ELINT aircraft

SOURCE: Saudi Foreign Military Sale release https://www.dsca.mil/press‑media/major‑arms‑sales/saudi‑arabia‑re‑3a‑tactical‑airborne‑surveillance‑system‑aircraft ; Times Aerospace feature on RE 3A revamp https://www.timesaerospace.aero/features/defence/every‑picture‑tells‑a‑story‑photo‑reveals‑saudi‑re‑3a‑revamp ; Airforce Technology modernization report https://www.airforce‑technology.com/news/us‑to‑modernise‑secretive‑saudi‑re‑3a‑surveillance‑aircraft/