diff --git a/game/settings.py b/game/settings.py
index d5872e91..431ec361 100644
--- a/game/settings.py
+++ b/game/settings.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class Settings:
     automate_front_line_reinforcements: bool = False
     automate_aircraft_reinforcements: bool = False
     restrict_weapons_by_date: bool = False
+    disable_legacy_aewc: bool = False
 
     # Performance oriented
     perf_red_alert_state: bool = True
diff --git a/gen/airsupportgen.py b/gen/airsupportgen.py
index ed13d830..71c54c42 100644
--- a/gen/airsupportgen.py
+++ b/gen/airsupportgen.py
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ from .conflictgen import Conflict
 from .radios import RadioFrequency, RadioRegistry
 from .tacan import TacanBand, TacanChannel, TacanRegistry
 
+
+
+
 TANKER_DISTANCE = 15000
 TANKER_ALT = 4572
 TANKER_HEADING_OFFSET = 45
@@ -133,28 +136,29 @@ class AirSupportConflictGenerator:
 
             self.air_support.tankers.append(TankerInfo(str(tanker_group.name), callsign, variant, freq, tacan))
 
-        possible_awacs = db.find_unittype(AWACS, self.conflict.attackers_side)
+        if not self.game.settings.disable_legacy_aewc:
+            possible_awacs = db.find_unittype(AWACS, self.conflict.attackers_side)
 
-        if len(possible_awacs) > 0:
-            awacs_unit = possible_awacs[0]
-            freq = self.radio_registry.alloc_uhf()
-            
-            awacs_flight = self.mission.awacs_flight(
-                country=self.mission.country(self.game.player_country),
-                name=namegen.next_awacs_name(self.mission.country(self.game.player_country)),
-                plane_type=awacs_unit,
-                altitude=AWACS_ALT,
-                airport=None,
-                position=self.conflict.position.random_point_within(AWACS_DISTANCE, AWACS_DISTANCE),
-                frequency=freq.mhz,
-                start_type=StartType.Warm,
-            )
-            awacs_flight.set_frequency(freq.mhz)
+            if len(possible_awacs) > 0:
+                awacs_unit = possible_awacs[0]
+                freq = self.radio_registry.alloc_uhf()
 
-            awacs_flight.points[0].tasks.append(SetInvisibleCommand(True))
-            awacs_flight.points[0].tasks.append(SetImmortalCommand(True))
+                awacs_flight = self.mission.awacs_flight(
+                    country=self.mission.country(self.game.player_country),
+                    name=namegen.next_awacs_name(self.mission.country(self.game.player_country)),
+                    plane_type=awacs_unit,
+                    altitude=AWACS_ALT,
+                    airport=None,
+                    position=self.conflict.position.random_point_within(AWACS_DISTANCE, AWACS_DISTANCE),
+                    frequency=freq.mhz,
+                    start_type=StartType.Warm,
+                )
+                awacs_flight.set_frequency(freq.mhz)
 
-            self.air_support.awacs.append(AwacsInfo(
-                str(awacs_flight.name), callsign_for_support_unit(awacs_flight), freq))
-        else:
-            logging.warning("No AWACS for faction")
\ No newline at end of file
+                awacs_flight.points[0].tasks.append(SetInvisibleCommand(True))
+                awacs_flight.points[0].tasks.append(SetImmortalCommand(True))
+
+                self.air_support.awacs.append(AwacsInfo(
+                    str(awacs_flight.name), callsign_for_support_unit(awacs_flight), freq))
+            else:
+                logging.warning("No AWACS for faction")
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/qt_ui/windows/settings/QSettingsWindow.py b/qt_ui/windows/settings/QSettingsWindow.py
index dad76e8d..3f39e6a1 100644
--- a/qt_ui/windows/settings/QSettingsWindow.py
+++ b/qt_ui/windows/settings/QSettingsWindow.py
@@ -309,6 +309,28 @@ class QSettingsWindow(QDialog):
         general_layout.addWidget(restrict_weapons_label, 0, 0)
         general_layout.addWidget(restrict_weapons, 0, 1, Qt.AlignRight)
 
+        def set_old_awec(value: bool) -> None:
+            self.game.settings.disable_legacy_aewc = value
+
+        old_awac = QCheckBox()
+        old_awac.setChecked(self.game.settings.disable_legacy_aewc)
+        old_awac.toggled.connect(set_old_awec)
+
+        old_awec_info = (
+            "If checked, the invulnerable friendly AEW&C aircraft that begins "
+            "the mission in the air will not be spawned. AEW&C missions must "
+            "be planned in the ATO and will take time to arrive on-station."
+        )
+
+        old_awac.setToolTip(old_awec_info)
+        old_awac_label = QLabel(
+            "Disable invulnerable, always-available AEW&C (WIP)"
+        )
+        old_awac_label.setToolTip(old_awec_info)
+
+        general_layout.addWidget(old_awac_label, 1, 0)
+        general_layout.addWidget(old_awac, 1, 1, Qt.AlignRight)
+
         automation = QGroupBox("HQ Automation")
         campaign_layout.addWidget(automation)