Northrop-Grumman to Upgrade Japan's E-767 AWACS Radar

Released on Friday, December 15, 2006

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract from The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) to upgrade Japan's four E-767 Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft.

The total value, if an additional option is exercised, of this Foreign Military Sale through the U.S. Air Force Material Command's Electronic Systems Center could be as high as $73 million to Northrop Grumman.

The contract calls for Northrop Grumman to provide four Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kits for Japan's E-767 fleet, spares and repair parts, support equipment, technical publications and documentation, services and other related program elements to ensure complete AWACS mission equipment supportability. A follow-on installation and check-out contract is planned to begin in 2010.

The RSIP upgrades will improve E-767 surveillance capability by increasing the pulse Doppler radar sensitivity to enable the aircraft to detect and track smaller targets. It also improves the radar's electronic counter-countermeasures, human-machine interface and reliability and maintainability.

"This is the most significant upgrade to the Japanese E-767 AWACS fleet since its delivery in the late 1990s," said Chet Silfee, Northrop Grumman RSIP program manager. "The increased airborne early warning and control capability provided by the Radar System Improvement Program will help Japan maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability well into the 21st century," added Jeff Leavitt, vice president of the Airborne Surveillance Systems business unit at Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman has already completed delivery of 60 RSIP radar systems to the U.S. Air Force, United Kingdom, NATO, and France.