Boeing overhauls radar for Japan's AWACS fleet

The Boeing Co. won a $108 million contract to supply radar system improvement program kits to Japan's fleet of four E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.

The kits feature a new radar computer, control maintenance panel and software upgrades for the radar and mission system programs. Northrop Grumman Corp.'s electronic systems unit in Baltimore builds the components through a subcontract with Boeing.

The kits will increase the aircraft fleet's radar sensitivity, so it can detect and follow smaller targets, said Anthony Williams, Boeing Japan AWACS program manager. They also upgrade the radar's computer with a more reliable multiprocessor, and rewrite system software to facilitate maintenance and enhancements, he said.

The radar system improvement program kits have been installed on AWACS fleets for France, NATO, the United Kingdom and the United States. These aircraft provide airborne surveillance and command and control functions for tactical and air defense forces.

Boeing delivered Japan's four E-767 AWACS between 1998 and 1999. The aircraft have been in service since 2000.

Boeing's integrated defense systems business unit of St. Louis will deliver the kits to the Japanese fleet. The unit offers network-centric system solutions to military, government and commercial customers worldwide.

Boeing of Chicago has about 153,000 employees and had 2005 annual revenue of $54.8 billion. The company ranks No. 15 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list the largest federal IT contractors.