Boeing to continue avionics mission computing upgrade for Japan's fleet of E-767 radar surveillance planes
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Airborne electronics experts at the Boeing Co., will continue avionics upgrades on Japan's fleet of four Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) radar surveillance jets under terms of a $84.6 million order announced last week.
Officials of the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., are asking Boeing for the Japan E-767 AWACS mission computing upgrade installation, and checkout.
767 passenger jet
Japan's AWACS aircraft are based on the Boeing 767 widebody passenger jet, while the U.S. versions are based on the older Boeing 707 airframe. U.S. AWACS are to be replaced by Boeing E-7A airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) radar aircraft, which are based on the Boeing 737-700ER long-range single-aisle passenger jetliner. The future U.S. Air Force E-7A fleet will be for simultaneous air and sea search, as well as combat air traffic control.
Japan's E-767 aircraft mission computing upgrade will provide improved command and battlespace control capabilities, increased real-time information sharing between the services, reduced target identification time, and increased lethality.
The overall Japan E-767 avionics upgrade is to provide Japan with an upgraded AWACS command and control capability, and to enable Japan’s AWACS fleet to be more compatible with the U.S. Air Force AWACS fleet baseline and provide for greater interoperability. Japan will use this enhanced capability to provide for its self-defense.
Boeing is continuing work to upgrade mission computing, electronic support measures, traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS), interrogator friend or foe (IFF) transponder, next-generation IFF, automatic identification system, and data link upgrades for the four E-767 AWACS aircraft for Japan.
Avionics upgrades
The E-767 avionics upgrade includes four electronic support measure systems; eight AN/UPX-40 next generation IFF systems; eight AN/APX-119 IFF transponders; and four KIV-77 cryptographic computers.
The project also involves design and kit production, support and test equipment, provisioning, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support, installation and checkout, and other related elements of program support.
On this foreign military sales order, Boeing will do the work in Oklahoma City, Okla.; and San Antonio, Texas, and should be finished by December 2028. For more information contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security online at www.boeing.com/company/about-bds, or the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at www.aflcmc.af.mil.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
