The French air force has taken delivery of its first upgraded Boeing E-3F airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, following successful flight testing.
“Delivery followed ground and flight tests at Avord air base and qualification by France’s DGA [defence procurement agency],” says Boeing. “The mid-life upgrade will provide the crew with more actionable information and better situational awareness, and increase mission effectiveness and efficiencies,” it adds.
French air force
Modification activities on the lead aircraft had concluded at Paris Le Bourget airport early this year, with the work performed by Boeing and subcontractor Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance.
Work to bring France’s other three E-3Fs to the enhanced standard is scheduled to conclude by the third quarter of 2016, says Boeing.
Flightglobal’s Ascend Fleets database lists the French air force’s CFM International CFM56-engined AWACS aircraft as having been built in 1990 and 1991.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
