Feature
82 // FEBRUARY 2018 #359 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comout. Once in Ankara, the MESA radars would
be installed and structural modifications and
tests would be carried out. A first aircraft was
delivered to TAI at Ankara on March 13, 2006
with the second following on October 2 that year.
Training of THK personnel to serve on the
aircraft began in 2008. The first ten pilots
selected were sent to Boeing’s facilities in
Seattle in groups of two, two and six.Early delays
On September 6, 2007 the initial aircraft
performed its first flight with radar and sub-
systems installed. A first mission system test
flight was completed on December 12 the same
year. This tested the aircraft’s communications,
including establishing links with ground-based
stations. Ultimately, the project was delayed by
seven years because of software problems and,
reportedly, the failure of the MESA radar to attain
the expected levels of sensitivity. As a result of
the delay, Boeing reduced the overall cost of the
programme by $59m. Compensation of $183m,
including interest, was also provided and it was
decided that the support terms of the project
would be increased from two years to five.
Three years of software maintenance support
were also provided and spare parts worth
around $32m were offered as compensation.
The delay also affected the second and
third aircraft, which were to be converted in
Turkey. Modification of a first aircraft by TAI
in Turkey was completed at the beginning of
June 2008 and it made its first flight in ‘full-up’
configuration the following month. The second
and third aircraft remained at TAI facilities, where
tests were carried out at the same time as the
problems on the aircraft in the US were being
resolved. Meanwhile, systems for the fourth
aircraft were tested in a Boeing laboratory.
On November 29, 2011 one of the E-7Ts at
TAI waiting for the completion of tests of the
first aircraft was temporarily returned to Boeing.The aircraft was displayed on Boeing’s stand
at that year’s Dubai Airshow, with a crew of
Turkish and American personnel. Although it
wore the colours and markings of the THK,
it had not yet been handed over to the air
force and retained its US registration.3rd Main Jet Base
The E-7T serves with the THK’s 3’ncü Ana
Jet Üs Komutanlı ̆gı (3rd Main Jet Base
Command) at Konya. The same base
is home to NATO E-3A AWACS aircraft.
Operating unit for the E-7T is 131 Filo, also
known as the 131’inci Havadan İhbar Kontrol
(HİK) Grup Komutanlı ̆gı (131st Airborne
Warning and Control Group Command).
The callsign ‘EJDER’ (‘dragon’ in Turkish) was
selected for the aircraft, recalling the ‘Ejder
Squadron’ that had previously flown F-4Es atKonya. The unit was closed down in 2004 as
F-4Es were taken out of inventory as part of
THK restructuring. The callsign was selected
at the request of the 131st Airborne Warning
and Control Group Command personnel.
Other new units were established
alongside the 131st Airborne Warning
and Control Group Command:- Flight Teams Squadron Command
- Mission Teams Squadron Command
- Standardisation Squadron Command
- Ground Support Squadron Command
A hangar was also built at the 3rd Main Jet
Base for the routine maintenance of these new
aircraft.
Handover
After all the delays, Boeing-modified E-7T serial
13-001 was handed over to the 131st AirborneLeft above: The 737-based Peace Eagle was
selected in favour of a rival AEW&C aircraft
design that combined the Airbus A310 and Israeli
Phalcon radar. Boeing’s E-7T flight deck was the
first to be provided with a twin head-up display
(HUD). Right: Electronic support measures
and electronic intelligence equipment features
systems from Elta controlled by an ALR-2001
computer. Other mission equipment includes
Link 11, Link 16, Joint Tactical Information
Distribution System (JTIDS), Mode S IFF and
satellite communications. Left below: The E-7T
cabin includes ten consoles for the mission
team. The Peace Eagle is also used for maritime
support missions, including over-the-horizon
targeting for Turkish Navy warships.