JSTARS award paves way for new engines

  • Published
  • By Chuck Paone
  • ESC Public Affairs
Jan. 18, 2007 --  HANSCOM AFB, MASS. (January 18, 2007) - The Electronic Systems Center has announced plans to award a contract to prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation to re-engine the entire fleet of E-8 Joint STARS aircraft.

The E-8C Joint STARS weapon system, based on the Boeing 707-300C series aircraft refurbished by Northrop Grumman, is currently powered by Pratt & Whitney's TF33-PW-102 (commercial JT3D) engine. The TF33-PW-102s are the aircrafts' original engines, delivered with the original 707 airframes more than 35 years ago. The Air Force and Northrop have conducted numerous engine studies over many years that have demonstrated the array of benefits new, more powerful engines would provide. New engines will allow Joint STARS to meet all of its operational requirements. The jets will now be able to fly at more efficient altitudes, maintain longer periods of loiter time, be more fuel-efficient and will comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) noise and emission standards.

The current schedule calls for the first retrofitted jet, the fleet's T-3 test bed, to be ready in January 2008, and for the entire fleet - which consists of 17 operational jets, the T-3 and a trainer - to be equipped with the new engines by Fiscal Year 2013.

"We're very excited about this," said Colonel Michael Graham, Commander of the 751st Electronic Systems Group. "We're doing a great thing for our war fighters. Also, this is an important step forward as we modernize the Joint STARS weapon system improving the performance of Joint STARS for today's fight and bringing enhanced capability for future fights."

CONTACT: Chuck Paone: (781) 377-5078; charles.paone@hanscom.af.mil