Boeing Delivers First Peace Eagle Aircraft for Airborne Early Warning and Control Modifications
Boeing [NYSE: BA] today achieved a major milestone for Turkey's Peace Eagle program by delivering a 737-700 to TUSAS Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) of Ankara, Turkey, for modification to an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform.
"The arrival marks the start of the program's production phase in Turkey where TAI will transform this commercial aircraft into a state-of-the-art AEW&C system," said Mike Brewer, Boeing Peace Eagle program manager. "A TAI team has worked with Boeing for more than two years in preparation for this work, and I am confident in its ability to execute this phase of the program."
TAI personnel will install a reinforced upper section where the aircraft's main Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar will be attached. Other extensive installations and modifications include new power and cooling systems, mission consoles and modifications to the environmental control and hydraulic systems.
"Delivery of the first Peace Eagle aircraft to the TAI facility is another important milestone for the Peace Eagle program and of prime importance to our country, armed forces and company," said Muharrem Dortkasli, TAI general manager. "Through this program, TAI will gain engineering, integrated logistic support, repair and maintenance as well as management capabilities on 737 AEW&C aircraft."
Boeing is modifying the first of four Peace Eagle aircraft in Seattle, Wash. TAI will modify the three remaining aircraft at its facility in Turkey. Work on the third aircraft will begin in September 2006, and the final aircraft will move into the TAI hangar in March 2007. All four aircraft are scheduled for delivery to SSM, Turkey 's acquisition agency, and the Turkish air force by the end of 2008.
"We are pleased to see today's achievement of an important milestone in a high priority program and are confident that TAI will successfully execute this extensive modification to deliver a very capable platform to the Turkish air force" said Murad Bayar, undersecretary for Turkey's defense industries.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis , Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense and Department of Home land Security; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.
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