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Royal Australian Air Force's E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft achieved final operational capability 2605157.
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World
Defense & Security News - Australia |
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| Royal Australian Air Force's E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft achieved final operational capability | |||
Royal
Australian Air Force's six Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning
& control (AEW&C) aircraft have achieved final operational capability
(FOC), the RAAF announced today May 26 in an official statement. "Australia
now has the most advanced air battle space management capability in the
world, with the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft
achieving Final Operational Capability," the RAAF said. |
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RAAF's Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning & control
(AEW&C) aircraft |
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The
fleet of six Wedgetail aircraft reached the milestone this month with
the entire capability, from physical aircraft to logistics, management,
sustainment, facilities and training, now fully operational and able to
support ongoing operations.
The Wedgetail has already proven to be highly reliable and effective on operations and this achievement will further Australia’s capabilities. The aircraft deployed on Operation Okra in the Middle East region, completing over 100 surveillance sorties with our coalition partners, flying more than 1,200 hours. The Wedgetail also provided coordination and flight safety capability for the air search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean. The Wedgetail is tailored to meet the specific Royal Australian Air Force requirements, with six Boeing 737 aircraft modified to accommodate sophisticated mission systems and advanced multi-role radar. The aircraft uses the Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar. The L-band (1 to 2 GHz) electronically scanned AEW and surveillance radar is located on a dorsal fin on top of the fuselage, dubbed the "top hat", and is designed for minimal aerodynamic effect. The radar is capable of simultaneous air and sea search, fighter control and area search, with a maximum range of over 600 km (in look-up mode). The aircraft significantly enhances the effectiveness of Australia’s existing Australian Defence Force and civil surveillance agencies and helps maintain an advanced technological capability. Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Gavin Davies, AO, CSC said the E-7A Wedgetail provides Australia with the ability to control and survey vast areas of operation, and contribute to Australia’s modern and fully integrated combat force under Plan Jericho. “The aircraft’s advanced multi-role radar gives the Air Force the ability to survey, command, control and coordinate joint air, sea and land operations in real time,” Air Vice-Marshal Davies said. “As we transition into a more technologically advanced force as part of Plan Jericho, the Wedgetail will be able to support future aircraft and surveillance systems.” The home operating base for the Wedgetail aircraft is RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales. |
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