Turkish Air Force begins special training with Boeing for AEW&C programme
The Turkish Air Force has begun training for the acceptance of its new fleet of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems from US manufacturer Boeing.
The Seattle-based company has launched a training programme specifically designed to meet the individual requirements of the Turkish programme which will see the first aircraft – based on the 737 platform – being handed over later this year.
The training will cover “the mechanical avionics, mission systems and electronic warfare subsystems of the 737 AEW&C aircraft,” a statement from Boeing said.
“We’re looking forward to the first delivery this year,” said Mark Ellis, director at Boeing for Turkey’s AEW&C Peace Eagle program. The remaining three planes are expected in 2013.”
The aircraft were ordered in 2003 and was valued at the time at $1.6 billion and Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported that the original contract contained an option for two additional aircraft.
Both Turkish and Boeing officials have said there was no indication that Ankara would buy the two additional aircraft, the newspaper said today.
Turkey will be utilising the aircraft fitted with Northrop Grumman’s MESA electronically scanned array radar, an all-weather, 360-degree air and maritime mode system, for both national defence and also on NATO-related missions.
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