Boeing Proposes 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft for Korea’s EX Program
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it is offering the 737 airborne early warning and control system in response to a proposal from the Republic of Korea for EX, an airborne surveillance and command and control program
Boeing submitted its response on June 11.
“The design of the 737 AEW&C, with its low risk and high performance, has already been validated through sales to Australia for Project Wedgetail and to Turkey for its Peace Eagle program. We expect the Wedgetail fleet to be in operation two years before the first AEW&C aircraft is delivered to Korea,” said Patrick Gill, Boeing vice president of 737 AEW&C programs.
The first Wedgetail aircraft had a successful maiden flight in May and is now undergoing a comprehensive six-month FAA airworthiness certification program.
The announcement comes just days after the U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a $3.89 billion contract for the 737 Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft as a replacement for the current P-3.
Australia has recently purchased two additional 737-700 aircraft expanding their Wedgetail fleet to six. Delivery of the first two aircraft is scheduled for 2006, with the other aircraft being delivered by 2008.
Turkey is also under contract for four 737 AEW&C aircraft and mission system design activities are well underway. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2007.
The 737 AEW&C is designed to provide true airborne battle management capability with 10 state-of-the-art mission system consoles. It continues more than 30 years of Boeing tradition in airborne surveillance and command and control with the 707 and 767 AWACS fleet. Currently the aircraft are operated by the United States, NATO, the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
The 737 AEW&C is based on the Boeing Next Generation 737-700 featuring 21st century avionics, navigation equipment, and flight deck. It has an operational ceiling of 41,000 feet and a range in excess of 3,500 nautical miles. Because of its high technology, the aircraft requires minimal downtime for maintenance.
The 737 series is one of the most popular and reliable jet aircraft in the world and that has resulted in a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.
The Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar is the critical sensor aboard the 737 AEW&C. The MESA array is designed to provide optimal performance in range, tracking, and accuracy. The radar is able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously and can help the mission crew direct the control of high-performance fighter aircraft while continuously scanning the operational area.
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