Boeing and Air France Industries complete modification of French AWACS aircraft

Boeing and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance have successfully completed the midlife upgrade modification on the first of four E-3F airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft for the French Air Force. The upgrade is part of a foreign military sale (FMS) in 2010 between France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) and the US Government.

“The success of this upgrade rests in the outstanding cooperation between Boeing and Air France Industries,” said Yves Galland, President of Boeing France “We are looking forward to continue this successful partnership to meet the French Air Force’s military needs.”

The aircraft now will undergo ground and flight tests at Avord Air Base before being delivered to the Air Force later this year once qualified by DGA. The midlife upgrade is the most important to date for the French fleet and is modelled on the Block 40/45 contract developed for the US AWACS fleet. SP