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Electronic Systems Center, Tinker share plans for E-3 mods

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tinker welcomed top AWACS experts and a Boeing support team April 6 to discuss the logistics of the Block 40/45 modification project. The $2.9-billion initiative upgrades the computer systems, ground systems and infrastructure throughout the entire E-3 AWACS fleet.

Boeing, a partner in the project, will provide parts, equipment and engineering, while Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center personnel will provide labor, planning and scheduling of the installation. The initiative is scheduled to begin in November.

With their teams, Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, Electronic Systems Center commander at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., and Col. Steve Seroka, deputy director for Requirements at Langley AFB, Va., briefed Tinker leadership, discussed status updates and developed action plans. They also toured facilities where work would be performed and parts stored.

Described as a "major upgrade," the modification project is the largest modification effort in U.S. AWACS history, and will act as a foundation for future system upgrades, said Lt. Col. Brian Collins, 636th Electronic Systems Squadron at Hanscom AFB, during the AWACS Block 40/45 General Officer Steering Group briefing.

The initiative will replace the 1970s-based computer equipment with modern equipment.
"We're very excited about this project. It's the opportunity of a lifetime," said Bruno Morf, 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director. Mr. Morf's squadron and the 557th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron will perform the labor.

At Bldg. 2136, officials briefed the group on the metrics of actual work performed and the physical security plans for the aircraft while it undergoes modification work. The group toured an E-3 aircraft undergoing programmed depot maintenance at Bldg. 2136 and saw the proposed kitting-area site in Bldg. 9001.

"We would like to have everything verified and in place at least 30 days prior to the mod," said Bill Cain, 566th AMXS deputy director for E-3 services.

The first aircraft is expected to be completed in September 2011 and the last aircraft of the six low-rate initial production aircraft is scheduled to be finished in 2014.

The remaining 26 aircraft in the fleet are expected to be completed following these initial six aircraft with the last rolling off the line in 2020.

E-3 Sentry System Program Management Responsibility moves to Tinker

Team Tinker's responsibility grew in April when Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, Electronic Systems Center commander, signed a memorandum transferring responsibility of the E-3 Sentry System Program Manager from the ESC at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center's 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing.

With this move, the 327th ASW management responsibilities for the E-3 grow from sustainment to overseeing acquisition, systems engineering, and modifications for the worldwide E-3 fleet. Thomas Ramsey, director of the 557th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron is now the System Program Manager for the Airborne Warning and Control System fleet. Within AFMC, the systems program manager is the single face to the customer. For the E-3, the USAF customers are Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces. The ACC aircraft are stationed at Tinker with the 552nd Aircraft Control Wing. The PACAF aircraft are stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. The SPM also supports NATO, United Kingdom, France and Saudi Arabia.

Maj. Gen. David Gillett, OC-ALC commander, Mr. Ramsey, and Col. Eric Gunzelman the former AWACS SPM witnessed the signing. The E-3 joins a large portfolio of systems managed by the 327th ASW, including the KC-135, B-52, B-1, B-2, and Contractor Logistics Supported aircraft (including Air Force One, the KC-10, and E-4) and turbine engines. The 327th ASW organizes, directs, and controls total life-cycle management of these weapon systems' development, modification, test, sustainment, depot maintenance, and worldwide support for U.S. Air Force active, Guard and Reserve components, sister services and foreign partners.