New Platform Offered
Production of the 707 airframe ended in May 1991. Following extensive studies of the most suitable follow-on aircraft for the AWACS mission, Boeing announced in December 1991 that it would offer a modified 767 commercial jetliner as the platform for the system.
The 767-200 provides several advantages over the 707. Because of its wide-body configuration, the 767 offers 50 percent more floor space and nearly twice the volume of the 707. The 767 can carry a heavier payload, has a greater range and flies higher than the 707. The two-person flight crew and high-reliability twin engines also provide economic advantages. More than 925 commercial 767 airplanes are in service with approximately 113 operators and there is a wide base of suppliers, spare parts and support equipment.. The 767 family has accumulated more than 7.7 million flights, and has carried millions of passengers. About 1.3 million of the 7.7 million flights were on extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) rules.
Although Boeing is offering a new platform, the basic AWACS mission equipment will take advantage of the proven avionics currently employed on board operational AWACS aircraft. The 767 will have mission capability comparable to the 707 and will be interoperable with it.
The 767 AWACS is produced at the company's plant in Everett, Wash.
The government of Japan ordered four 767 AWACS in 1993 and 1994. Two were delivered in 1998 and two more in 1999. They were put into operational service in 2000.