ESC delivers French AWACS capability

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Stephen Fox
  • Electronic Systems Center Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFPN) --  Radars on the French Airborne Warning and Control System fleet are now more capable thanks to a recently completed improvement effort managed by the Electronic Systems Center. 

The French AWACS Radar System Improvement Program concluded this month with the delivery of the fourth and final French E-3F AWACS with an RSIP kit. 

“This is the most significant upgrade to the French AWACS fleet since its delivery in the early 1990s,” said Paul Sparaco, the French AWACS Program Manager at ESC. “It will bring France’s surveillance capability up to the same standards as its NATO allies.” 

The RSIP upgrade, which was completed ahead of schedule, improves the E-3F's surveillance capability by increasing the sensitivity of the pulse-Doppler radar so the aircraft can detect and track smaller targets, Mr. Sparaco said. It also improves the radar's electronic counter-countermeasures capability. 

The French RSIP production and retrofit program, worth more than $180 million, was designed to meet French requirements specified in a foreign military sales agreement signed in July 2002. 

The RSIP kits completely replace the AWACS radar computer, a radar control maintenance panel, and electrical and mechanical software and hardware. The upgraded radar includes a new high-reliability multi-processor, along with new radar software that is easier to maintain and upgrade in the future. The modification also upgrades the radar's antenna, receivers and transmitters. 

“Our French customers were overwhelmingly impressed with the increased capability RSIP provided their AWACS fleet,” said Lt. Gen. Chuck Johnson, ESC commander. “The positive results of the program, in providing a more effective final product and bolstering stronger coalition ties, laid the groundwork for many future acquisition successes.” 

The installations were completed at a contractor facility in Le Bourget, France. Flight tests were accomplished at the main operating base for the French AWACS in Avord, France. 

“ESC has been working toward providing the same capability for some other international AWACS fleets,” said Brian Schultz, deputy director for International AWACS. “Completion of the French RSIP program is timely since these nations can potentially take advantage of the lessons learned on the recently completed French program, thus minimizing risk and executing more efficiently.”