Field Aerospace has completed the Turkish Air Force KC-135 Block 45 modification, under a contract through the KC-135 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program office. This contract period of performance was from January 29, 2021, to January 28, 2024. Work was completed in December of 2022. The program finished one year ahead of schedule. The Block 45 modification removes the legacy autopilot system, Flight Director System, engine analog gages, and radio altimeter and installs a Dual Autopilot and Flight Director System, new radio altimeter system, and new engine display. This effort included modifications to seven Turkish Air Force KC-135 Block 45 Aircraft. Turkey is the second largest operator of the KC-135 Stratotanker next to the U.S. Air Force.
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an American military aerial refueling aircraft that was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, alongside the Boeing 707 airliner. The KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1957; it is one of nine military fixed-wing aircraft with over 60 years of continuous service with its original operator. Studies have concluded that many of the aircraft could be flown until 2030, although maintenance costs have greatly increased. Field had previously completed the prototype Block 45 modification on two U.S. Air Force KC-135 aircraft and installed the modification on the first 15 Block 45 Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) aircraft.
“Our team applied lessons learned from our prior experience performing this modification on the USAF KC-135 fleet to the Turkish KC-135 Program, resulting in an efficient and well executed program.” stated Ed Williams, Field Aerospace Program Manager.
For 75 years, Field has been making ordinary aircraft extraordinary for commercial and military customers all over the world. Field is recognized as an industry leader in the design, integration, manufacture, installation, flight test, and certification of interior and exterior aircraft modifications and avionics upgrade programs. An award-winning avionics equipment dealer and authorized service center, Field offers aviation-related contractor logistics support and program management office support to aircraft operators including Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) modifications for special mission and maritime applications; and aerospace parts manufacturing and subassembly services.
