Final AEW&C Peace Eye aircraft delivered to ROKAF
Boeing delivered the fourth 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Peace Eye aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) on 24 October, bringing the delivery programme to a close.
The 737 AEW&C aircraft is designed to provide airborne battle management capability with an advanced multirole electronically scanned radar and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles that are able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. The mission crew can direct offensive and defensive forces while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area.
Three of the four 737-based Peace Eye aircraft were modified by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) at its facility in Sacheon. The company also supported testing of the aircraft.
A number of other Korean companies made key contributions to the programme, demonstrating the continuing success of Boeing’s partnerships with local industry. These companies included: Korean Air Aerospace Division (technical services, spares and related parts-handling services); LIG Nex1 (networking and training); Samsung Thales (mission crew training); Boeing Training Services Korea (flight crew training); and Huneed Technologies (ground-based datalinks communications system).
Rick Heerdt, Boeing vice president of Airborne Surveillance, Command and Control, said: ‘We delivered five weeks ahead of schedule thanks to the hard work, focus and close collaboration among the ROKAF, Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Boeing and our in-country suppliers. Throughout the programme, KAI demonstrated its outstanding technical capability and modification experience in delivering this powerful airborne surveillance and battle management capability that enhances the security of the Korean peninsula.’
The AEW&C team has also delivered all ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance to ROKAF Base Gimhae, the Peace Eye fleet's main operating base. Boeing is providing on-site technical support, training and spare parts as part of an interim support programme, allowing for seamless support of the Peace Eye fleet as it transitions to a through-life support programme.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
-
US Space Force bets big on the use of AI to improve its capabilities
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
-
Thales selected for Syracuse satellite communications terminals for French vehicles
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
-
The New Battlefield: Space Defence, Emerging Threats, and Strategic Opportunities (Studio)
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
-
BAE Systems to provide radios for South Korean aircraft
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
-
Lockheed Martin to work with DARPA on AI effort
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.