Boeing Awarded Options Worth Nearly $98 Million for AWACS Radar Improvement Kits.Business/News Editors & Aerospace Writers SEAL BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2001 The Boeing Co. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :BA), today announced the U.S. Air Force has exercised options for 13 Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP (Realm Specific IP) A network address translation technology that performs a similar function to NAT while maintaining end-to-end transparency. Whereas NAT inserts new IP addresses into the packet headers at the router, RSIP does it at the client side. ) kits and support services to complete installation of RSIP on the U.S. AWACS AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) Mobile, long-range radar surveillance-and-control centre for air defense. Used by the U.S. Air Force since 1977, AWACS is mounted in a specially modified Boeing 707 aircraft, with its main radar antenna affixed to a rotating dome. fleet. These options, worth nearly $98 million, were exercised by Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base Hanscom Air Force Base, initially and briefly designated Bedford Army Air Base, is a U.S. Air Force facility in Bedford, Massachusetts. It is the headquarters of the Electronic Systems Center (ESC), one of the product centers of the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). , Mass. The RSIP kit, built principally by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, consists of a new radar computer, radar control maintenance panel, electrical and mechanical software and hardware. Boeing, as prime contractor and systems integrator, will deliver the RSIP kits to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., where they will be installed by depot maintenance personnel. Kit production and delivery are expected to be completed in 2004. RSIP improves the E-3's radar by increasing the sensitivity of the pulse Doppler radar so the aircraft can detect and track smaller targets. It also improves the radar's electronic counter-countermeasures capability. RSIP upgrades the radar's existing computer with a new high-reliability multi-processor and rewrites the software to make it easier to maintain and enhance in the future. Mark Pittenger, Boeing RSIP program manager, said, "Achieving this significant milestone is a testament to the outstanding teamwork among Boeing, Northrop Grumman and the Air Force." In addition to the U.S. fleet, RSIP kits have been installed on the NATO and United Kingdom AWACS fleets. AWACS is the world's standard for airborne early warning The detection of enemy air or surface units by radar or other equipment carried in an airborne vehicle, and the transmitting of a warning to friendly units. Also called AEW. & control systems. Currently carried on-board militarized mil·i·ta·rize tr.v. mil·i·ta·rized, mil·i·ta·riz·ing, mil·i·ta·riz·es 1. To equip or train for war. 2. To imbue with militarism. 3. To adopt for use by or in the military. 707 and 767 aircraft, it fills the need for both airborne surveillance and command and control functions for tactical and air defense forces. |
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