The U.S. Air Force has awarded Raytheon a $29.6 million contract to install upgraded radio equipment on 178 C-130H Hercules aircraft.

Under the contract, Raytheon will install MXF-626K VHF Communications Systems, ensuring the Hercules planes will be able to comply with the European Air Traffic Managements newly adopted requirements by providing 8.33 kilohertz channel spacing in the range of 118 to 137 megahertz. Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems vice president of Integrated Communications Systems Scott Whatmough says having reliable communications is important.

"Our focus is on ensuring Hercules operators can communicate freely, reliably and securely wherever their missions take them, and we are proud to partner with the U.S. Air Force to expand this critically important capability across the C-130 fleet," Whatmough said in a statement.

The MXF-626K is a VHF tactical communications system featuring both air-to-air and air-to-ground Line of Sight SINCGARS, or single channel ground and air radio system, Maritime Band operations, and Air Traffic Control. The system is designed to replace the ARC-186 radio system currently installed on C-130H aircraft.

In addition to the MXF-626K, Raytheon has also been contracted to upgrade communication systems for other C-130 aircraft, including the ski-equipped LC-130 "Ski Bird" used in Arctic and Antarctic missions, and the C-130H1.

Boeing delivers final Peace Eagle aircraft to Turkey
Konya, Turkey (UPI) Dec 10, 2015 - Boeing delivered its final Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft to the Turkish Air Force on Wednesday.

The Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning & Control is a military aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The plane can fly for 11 hours without refueling, with a range of over 5,000 nautical miles.

The aircraft delivered to the Turkish Air Force comes equipped with upgraded software and the final element of the ground support segment, the Software Support Center, which the previously delivered aircraft will have installed soon. The Peace Eagle is based on Boeing's 737-700 commercial plane.

Boeing collaborated with Turkish industrial partners Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turkish Airlines and others to complete the delivery and develop the aircraft's technological capabilities.

"Turkey is currently the only nation in this region with the AEW&C capability," Boeing Turkey managing director Aysem Sargin Isil said. "By combining Boeing's innovative engineering with the expertise provided by local Turkish industry partners, we've delivered an advanced world-class airborne surveillance system to our customer."

The delivery has Turkey joining Australia and South Korea in operating AEW&C platforms.