France completes AWACS upgrade

France has declared initial operating capability (IOC) for its modernized Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet.

The four AWACS aircraft were given a Mid-life Upgrade (MLU) by Boeing. "The aircraft are receiving modifications to increase the fleet's surveillance, communications and battle management capabilities," said a Boeing news release. "AWACS crew members will experience reduced workload, receive more actionable information and have better situational awareness thanks to these enhancements."

"This improvement will contribute to maintaining high operational performance and reinforce interoperability capability for at least the next 20 years," said Lieutenant-Colonel Olivier Duplessy, French Air Force AWACS Program Officer.

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