The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has completed the first in-country modification of a 737-700 into an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform for Turkey's Peace Eagle program.

The transformation of Peace Eagle No. 2 follows two years of extensive modifications at the TAI facility in Ankara, Turkey, including the installation of a reinforced section on the upper fuselage that supports the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) antenna. Workers also installed several other antennas, consoles, cabinets, wire bundles, ventral fins, power distributions systems, heat exchange panels and cooling ducts.

The Peace Eagle program includes four 737 AEW&C aircraft, plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. Boeing modified the first aircraft at its facilities in Seattle. TAI is modifying the remaining three aircraft in Turkey.

Check out of the aircraft and its mission system is under way, with a functional check flight of the aircraft scheduled for early this summer.

"The TAI assembly and test team has been outstanding in its execution of this complex modification effort while overcoming a series of design and logistical challenges," said Mark Ellis, Boeing Peace Eagle program manager. "TAI's ability to maintain a high level of workmanship and execution while performing their first complete integration of an AEW&C system is very impressive."

The 737-700 features 21st century avionics, navigation equipment and flight deck features. Because of its advanced technology and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment, the aircraft requires minimal downtime for maintenance.

Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with Northrop Grumman's MESA antenna with integrated Identification Friend-or-Foe capabilities. The system also includes a flexible, open architecture for cost-effective future upgrades, an extensive communications suite and aerial refueling capability.