Article Posted on : - Jul 23, 2014

French AWACS Aircraft: Photo: Vincent Guisiano, French Air Force

SEATTLE (BNS): US defence major Boeing has delivered the first of four upgraded Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to the French Air Force.

The Mid-Life Upgrade - the largest set of modifications to AWACS aircraft for France - will provide the crew with more actionable information and better situational awareness and increase mission effectiveness and efficiencies, Boeing said.

Delivery of the upgraded aircraft on 17 July followed ground and flight tests at Avord Air Force Base and qualification by France's Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA).

Modifications to the other three French AWACS aircraft are scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2016, it added.

Boeing, as prime contractor, provides hardware, software, engineering and quality assurance support. Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, a Boeing subcontractor on the project, is upgrading the electrical, mechanical and structural systems and mission hardware on the aircraft.