Boeing Awacs Planes Pass Acceptance Test

The first two Boeing 767 airborne warning and control (Awacs) aircraft have successfully completed production acceptance testing.

By bringing testing to a close, the United States Air Force overseer of the Awacs test programme concurred that aircraft systems are working as designed to meet the airborne surveillance requirements, according to a company release here yesterday.

As part of the over-all test progamme, radar, identification friend-or-foe electronics, navigation, computers/displays, mission systems and communication systems performance were thoroughly tested and evaluated.

Since the testing began in August 1997, the two aircraft have logged a total of 194 flights and 798 flight hours, the release said.

 

Awacs is the worlds standard for airborne early warning (aew) systems.

Currently carried on-board militarised 707 aircraft, it fills the need of both airborne surveillance and command and control and communications functions for tactical and air defence forces.

Production of the 707 airframe ended in 1991, with the 767 platform chosen as its replacement.

The 767 Awacs offers countries self-defense capability well beyond the range of current ground-based systems.

Also, its maritime surveillance ability allows long-range monitoring of ships in regional and territorial waters, the release said.

Boeing is on contract to build four 767 Awacs for Japan.

The first two will be delivered in March 1998 and the second two in 1999, the release said.