Boeing Forecasts a Market for Fifty 737AEWs

Boeing's 737AEW program is progressing, with first flight planned for 2003. Australia became the launch customer, after Boeing's proposal based on a 737 platform and MESA phased-array radar won the Australian AEW competition. Korea is expected to select between competing proposals from Boeing and Raytheon next year. Italy is also a candidate for AEW sales; a request for proposals is expected in the near future.

In line with current thinking, Boeing sees the AEW role as a part of a networked battlefield, where its superior information collection, processing capability, and broadband communication will make it a central component.

As the airborne platform, Boeing uses a specially configured Boeing Business Jet, minus winglets, but with a dorsal fin radar installation. The aircraft's cabin will be divided into three compartments: an operations center hosting ten workstations, a crew rest area equipped with eight seats or four sleepers, and an the aft section housing most of the electronics systems.

The MESA radar employs agile beam interlacing for simultaneous multi-mode operation, including airborne search mode, sector emphasis, maritime search and continuous tracking of selected targets, as well as IFF. The aircraft also has a comprehensive ESM suite and communications links. In total, 87 different antennae will be installed on each aircraft.

Boeing emphasizes the capabilities of the 737AEW in remote forward deployment sites. The aircraft can operate from 6,000-foot airfields, and is capable of emergency operation from narrow runways or even taxiways. Equipped with a "flyaway kit," the 737AEW can deploy without ground support for a period of 30 days.

Boeing forecasts a potential market for 50 737AEWs, valued at $15 billion to $30 billion.