Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Block Upgrade Program (RSIP) (E-3)

The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Block Upgrade Program, specifically the Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) for the E-3 aircraft, is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. This program encompasses comprehensive upgrades and modernization efforts for AWACS aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force and allied nations including France, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. The scope includes radar improvements, mission computer upgrades, electronic protection enhancements, and integration of new communication and identification systems.

Contract awards under this program typically range from small purchases of specialized electronic components ($10,000-$100,000) to major system upgrades exceeding $100 million, with performance periods spanning from several months to multiple years through 2025. The Boeing Company serves as the primary contractor for major system integration work, particularly for foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia, Japan, and France, with contract values often exceeding $50 million. Notable subcomponents and services include radar system upgrades, electronic protection systems, and communication equipment from vendors such as Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and Telephonics Corporation. The majority of contracts are awarded through the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, with primary work performed in Seattle, Washington. While most contracts have no set-aside designation, occasional small business and service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-asides are utilized for specific components and services.