Boeing has been awarded a contract for the initial phase of upgrading the radar on Saudi Arabia’s fleet of five E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The FMS case, not to exceed $US42 million, was contracted through the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
This first phase includes a study to determine which parts are obsolete and no longer available, then locating and testing parts obtained from new sources for the modification.
Phase one also includes purchase of many long lead parts and the start of software design.
The next phase involves production and installation of the Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kits, software integration and testing, and crew training.
Phase two is scheduled during the time frame of a follow-on contract expected to be awarded in 2009.
The RSIP kit, built principally by Baltimore-based Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems under subcontract to Boeing, consists of a new radar computer, a radar-control maintenance panel, and software upgrades to the radar and mission-system programs.