In Nov. 2006 Boeing was awarded a $108 million contract to deliver Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kits to Japan’s fleet of four E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
RSIP increases the AWACS aircraft’s radar sensitivity, allowing it to detect and track smaller targets. It also improves the radar’s existing computer with a new high-reliability multi-processor and rewrites the software to facilitate future maintenance and enhancements.
The RSIP kit consists of a new radar computer, a radar control maintenance panel as well as software upgrades to the radar and mission system programs.
Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)
767 AWACS Production and International Sales
http://www.boeing.com/boeing/defense-space/ic/awacs/767/767prodsales.page
The 767 AWACS program takes advantage of modern manufacturing facilities and processes in place within the company, resulting in another high-quality Boeing defense product.
The basic 767 airplane is manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplane Group in Everett, Wash., and then modified to accommodate the prime mission equipment.
The first derivative airframe completed production in October 1994. First flight with the rotodome installed occurred in August 1996.
Aircraft No. 1 and No. 2 were delivered to the government of Japan on March 11,1998. Aircraft No. 3 and No. 4 were delivered in 1999. All four 767 AWACS were put into operational service in 2000. Major subcontractors include Northrop Grumman (formerly Westinghouse), General Electric, Rockwell Collins (formerly IBM) and Telephonics (formerly Sundstrand). They have been involved in the company’s previous AWACS programs.
In Nov. 2006 Boeing was awarded a $108 million contract to deliver Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kits to Japan’s fleet of four E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The Foreign Military Sale was contracted through the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The sale also includes spare and repair parts, support equipment and technical documentation. Installation of the kits will occur during a follow-on contract.
RSIP increases the AWACS aircraft’s radar sensitivity, allowing it to detect and track smaller targets. It also improves the radar’s existing computer with a new high-reliability multi-processor and rewrites the software to facilitate future maintenance and enhancements.
The RSIP kit, built principally by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Baltimore, Md., under a subcontract to Boeing, consists of a new radar computer, a radar control maintenance panel as well as software upgrades to the radar and mission system programs.
RSIP kits have been installed on the U.S., United Kingdom, NATO and French AWACS fleets.