Upgraded JASDF E-767s to have EW, enhanced capabilities

The MCU for the JASDF's E-767 fleet will improve its battlespace command and control and decrease target identification time. In this photo, one of the JASDF E-767s which is scheduled for the upgrade participates in Exercise ‘RED FLAG-Alaska 23-2' on 9 June 2023. (US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)

An upgrade of Japan's Boeing E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft will give the fleet electronic warfare (EW) capabilities and the ability to track a large number of airborne and sea-level contacts.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) operates four E-767s, which were first acquired in 1998. Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) told Janes that the enhancements include the Mission Computer Upgrade (MCU) and “necessary” aircraft modifications.

The modifications “improve the air warning and control capabilities of the current E-767”, an ATLA spokesperson said. “In addition, as part of this project, electronic warfare support measures equipment and related devices are also installed.”

According to the spokesperson, the MCU updates the E-767's data processing capabilities. This “improved tracking capability will enable appropriate responses even in situations where a large number of aircraft and naval vessels, etc are expected to be intermingled”, the spokesperson said.

“The installation of electronic warfare support measures equipment makes it possible to detect and identify between various threats,” the spokesperson added. “It also enables upgraded E-767 to respond to threats proactively and to provide threat information to friendly aircraft, thereby ensuring superiority in contingency.”

The US Air Force (USAF) Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB), is the contracting activity for the upgrades, according to the Department of Defense (DoD).

The USAF said on 8 June that the Hanscom AFB team had returned the first upgraded