Seven Aircraft Modified a Year Ahead of Schedule

Field Aerospace has completed the Turkish Air Force KC-135 Block 45 modification a year ahead of schedule, under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, the company announced on 27 January.

Turkey is the second largest operator of the KC-135. after the USAF. The Block 45 modification removes the legacy autopilot system, flight director system, engine analogue gauges and radio altimeter, replacing them with a dual autopilot/flight director system, new radio altimeter and new engine display. This effort included modifications to seven Turkish Air Force aircraft and was completed in December.

Field had previously completed the prototype Block 45 modification on two USAF airframes, and installed the modification on the first 15 Block 45 low-rate initial production. “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.