The Northrop Grumman E-10A Multi-Sensor Command and Control Aircraft (MC2A) was an ambitious program to replace several types with a single model. As David Willis reveals, it proved to be too ambitious and was quickly dropped when the US Air Force (USAF) needed funds for higher priority projects.
![E-10A MC2A concept image [Northrop Grumman]](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/styles/article_body/public/inline-images/CAJ%20E-10%20Pic%2003.jpg?itok=8LA7UaVA)
Gen John Jumper, then commander of Air Combat Command, initiated the MC2A program in 2001, to replace not only the Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS), but also the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and RC-135 Rivet Joint with a single wide-body platform.
