Boeing has begun an extensive maintenance training program for Turkey’s Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control program at a Boeing facility near Seattle, Wash.
Classroom training for 10 Turkish Air Force personnel and two Turkish Airlines employees is being conducted by instructors from Boeing Defence Australia and Boeing Training and Flight Services. The training covers all aspects of the 737 AEW&C aircraft, including mechanical avionics, mission systems and electronic warfare subsystems.
The students will have access to computer-based training, simulators, training devices, and hands-on experience aboard the first Peace Eagle aircraft.
“Training is a critical part of the full capability Boeing is providing in the Peace Eagle program,” said Mark Ellis, Peace Eagle program manager for Boeing. “Boeing is working closely with the Turkish Air Force and Turkish industry to ensure that they can effectively use and maintain this powerful airborne surveillance, communications and battle-management system.”
81 students are scheduled to take the system maintenance courses at the Boeing facility over the next 10 months. Another 85 will train at the Peace Eagle main operating base in Konya, Turkey. Additionally, mission crew training is under way for 20 Turkish Air Force personnel at a Seattle-area facility.
The Peace Eagle program includes four 737 AEW&C aircraft plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. System requirements verification testing is ongoing at Boeing facilities in Seattle and in Turkey. Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara, Turkey, is modifying three aircraft and providing flight operations. HAVELSAN in Ankara is providing system software and the Ground Support Center. Boeing is on plan to deliver the first aircraft by the end of 2012.
The 737-700 commercial airplane on which the AEW&C aircraft is based features 21st century avionics, navigation equipment and flight deck. Because of its advanced technology and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment, the aircraft requires minimal downtime for maintenance.
The Peace Eagle AEW&C aircraft is equipped with Northrop Grumman’s Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array antenna with integrated Identification Friend-or-Foe capabilities. The system also includes a flexible, open architecture for cost-effective future upgrades, an extensive communications suite and aerial refueling capability.
