Tue, Nov 09, 2004
Boeing Invites EADS To Help Upgrade NATO AWACS Platforms
EADS is participating in the
modernization of NATO’s AWACS early warning fleet. As
announced on Thursday, Boeing has awarded EADS Defence Electronics
an order for the delivery of AWACS mission computers and
Multi-Sensor Integration (MSI) computers for NATO’s E-3A
AWACS aircraft following successful development.
EADS developed the MSI software in the run-up to the NATO E-3A
modernization program. This software permits the automatic
identification and tracking of targets as well as the generation of
correlated target flight paths by including a variety of
reconnaissance data on board the AWACS platform. This technology
ensures a marked improvement in automatic target tracking and
identification and significantly assists flight officers and their
teams in airborne air surveillance.
Bernhard Gerwert, head of the EADS Defence Electronics business
unit, noted: "EADS manages responsibility for the sensor-fusion
software as well as the main computer. Thus we are able to supply
the client with a fully integrated sub-system that considerably
improves the capability of the early warning system."
Within the scope of NATO’s "Mid-Term Modernization
Program," Boeing is carrying out the comprehensive modernization of
the mission computer system, the displays and communication,
navigation and target identification and tracking systems. EADS
Military Aircraft integrates the systems supplied by EADS Defence
Electronics into the AWACS aircraft at its Manching facility where
it also tests the newly developed, modernized system. The first
upgraded aircraft will become operational in 2006.

Aircraft in NATO’s E-3 fleet at Geilenkirchen near Aachen
have been in operation for 20 years. Throughout operations, these
flying reconnaissance platforms have been subject to constant
modernization of sensors and deployed equipment. The upgrading of
the radar and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems, as well as
the installation of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS),
have been among the most significant projects in the past. The
AWACS fleet is expected to remain operational until 2025.
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