767 Platform, Logical Choice
Production of the venerable 707 airframe ended in May 1991. Following studies of the most suitable follow-on aircraft for the AWACS mission, Boeing announced in December 1991 that it would offer a modified 767 commercial jetliner as the platform for the system.
The 767-200 provides several advantages over the 707. Because of its wide-body configuration, the 767 offers 50 percent more floor space and nearly twice the volume of the 707. The 767 can carry a heavier payload, has a greater range and flies higher than the 707. The two-person flight crew and high-reliability twin engines also provide economic advantages. More than 925 commercial 767 airplanes are in service with approximately 113 operators and there is a wide base of suppliers, spare parts and support equipment.. The 767 family has accumulated more than 7.7 million flights, and has carried millions of passengers. About 1.3 million of the 7.7 million flights were on extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) rules.
767 AWACS will have mission capability comparable to the 707 AWACS and will be interoperable with the AWACS aircraft currently in service.