Boeing E-767

The **Boeing E-767** is an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. It was designed in response to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's requirements, and is essentially the Boeing E-3 Sentry's surveillance radar and air control system installed on a Boeing 767-200.

## Description

Its development was originated back on Earth when on September 6, 1976, Soviet Air Forces pilot Viktor Belenko successfully defected to the West, flying his MiG-25 'Foxbat' to Hakodate, Japan. During this incident, Japan Self-Defense Forces' radars lost track of the aircraft when Belenko flew his MiG-25 at a low altitude, prompting the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to consider procurement of airborne early warning aircraft.

In 1976, the U.S. Air Force was about to deploy the E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft, which was considered to be the prime candidate for the airborne early warning mission by JASDF. However, the Japan Defense Agency (JDA, now Ministry of Defense) realized that the E-3 would not be readily available due to USAF needs and instead opted to procure the American E-2 Hawkeye AWACS aircraft. The E-2C was put into service with the Airborne Early Warning Group (AEWG) at JASDF Misawa Air Base in January 1987.

In 1991, the JDA requested funds to upgrade the airborne early warning system by procuring the E-3. Unfortunately, production of the Boeing 707-based E-3 airframe had ended in 1991 and the plan was shelved. The following year, Boeing proposed a 767-based AWACS, and the JDA agreed to procure two E-767 in fiscal year 1993 and two more in fiscal year 1994.

The base airframe for E-767 is that of a 767-200ER, Boeing designation 767-27C. (The "7C" designation is the Boeing customer code for the JASDF). The 767 airframe offers about 50 percent more floor space and nearly twice the volume of the 707 on which the E-3 is based. The mission electronics equipment are installed in forward cabin to balance the weight with the rotodome mounted above the aft fuselage. The aft cabin contains the crew's rest area, galley, and lavatory.

## Specification

### **General characteristics**

* **Crew:** Flight:2 Mission:8-10
* **Length:** 159 ft 2 in (48.5 m)
* **Wingspan:** 156 ft 1 in (47.6 m)
* **Height:** 52 ft (15.8 m)
* **Empty weight:** 188,705 lb (85,595 kg)
* **Loaded weight:** 284,110 lb (128,870 kg)
* **Max. takeoff weight:** 385,000 lb (175,000 kg)
* **Powerplant:** 2 × General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofan, 61,500 lbf (273.6 kN) each

### **Performance**

* **Maximum speed:** Mach 0.86
* **Cruise speed:** Mach 0.80 (530 mph, 851 km/h)
* **Range:** 5,600 nmi (10,370 km)
* **Service ceiling:** 40,100 ft (12,200 m)
* **Endurance**: 9.25 hours on station at 1,000 nautical-mile radius;
13 hours at 300-nautical mile radius (no aerial refueling capability).

### **Avionics**

* Northrop Grumman AN/APY-2 Doppler radar

## Service History

The E-767 has served in all conflicts during Japan's transference to the New World, and have designated targets from beyond visual range, as well as detecting incoming threats.

First flew in the New World during the Parpaldia Empire's Invasion of Fenn, it serves as a spotter for the F-2 and the escorting F-15J Kai that destroyed the Imperial Dragon Carriers.

The E-767, along with the E-2C, later serves as a spotter for the F-15J Kai, F-2 and the BP-3C, first assisted the F-15J to destroy Parpaldia's Wyvern Overlords, then assisted the F-2 and BP-3C in bombing the imperial capital Esthirant. Later, the bombing squadron proceed to bomb the industrial city of Duro.

During the Great Naval Battle of Japan, the E-767 served as a spotter for the F-2 and BP-3C to perform saturation strikes against the 1st and 2nd Advanced Fleets of the GVE's Great Fleet. The E-767 was also able to detect a flight of 92 Antares fighters and vector in 12 Mitsubishi F-15J fighters on an intercept course.

The E-767 is planned to be deployed in the newly-constructed JSDF base in Silkark Kingdom, along with several aircraft for the still ongoing Conflict at Silkark Kingdom.