(RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, May 5, 2010) -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that the Commonwealth of Australia has accepted the first two Project Wedgetail 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fleet.
The aircraft were accepted during a ceremony today at RAAF Base Williamtown, the main operating base for the Wedgetail fleet.
"This major milestone demonstrates that the 737 AEW&C system is ready for operational training and use. It also represents the culmination of years of design, development, modification and testing by the Boeing-led team to bring this complex system -- the first of its type -- to our first AEW&C customer," said Maureen Dougherty, Boeing vice president, AEW&C Program.
Acceptance of the two Wedgetail aircraft means ground and flight operations and maintenance of the aircraft are now fully under RAAF control. Boeing delivered the two aircraft last year and has been supporting RAAF familiarization training on the AEW&C system, which includes the aircraft as well as the Operational Flight Trainer, Operational Mission Simulator and Mission Support System.
Boeing will deliver three more Wedgetail aircraft to the RAAF by the end of this year, including one upgraded in the final AEW&C configuration with Electronic Support Measures. All aircraft in the Wedgetail fleet will be upgraded to the final configuration in early 2011.
Project Wedgetail includes six 737 AEW&C aircraft, plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 commercial airplane, the 737 AEW&C aircraft is designed to provide airborne battle-management capability with an advanced multirole electronically scanned radar and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles that are able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. The mission crew can direct offensive and defensive forces while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area.
Boeing also has AEW&C systems in production for Turkey and the Republic of Korea.
Source : The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA)
Big Boost for Australia's Defence Surveillance Capability
Greg Combet today accepted the first two Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft
(May 5, 2010) -- Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, today accepted the first two Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft at RAAF Base Williamtown in Newcastle.
"The two surveillance aircraft will significantly increase Australia's surveillance capabilities and, as outlined in the Rudd Government's Defence White Paper, the Wedgetail will be critical in supporting our future ADF," Mr Combet said.
"Wedgetail aircraft will provide the ADF with the capability to maintain surveillance over a surface area of 400,000 square kilometres at any one time - that is an area 5 times as big as Tasmania.
"Over a 10 hour mission the Wedgetail's sophisticated mission systems and advanced radar will be able to cover four million square kilometres in surveillance, with its primary task being to detect air threats and coordinate our air defence.
"The Wedgetail project has suffered problems, especially in regards to schedule, and has been on the Government's 'projects of concern' list."
"This project was experiencing a variety of problems when the Government was elected but we have put a lot of work into getting it back on track," Mr Combet said.
"Over a decade since the project first started it is finally now ready to be used for Air Force training. I congratulate all parties, including the Department, Air Force and the Wedgetail's manufacturer Boeing who have got us to this point.
"This is good news, although there are still a number of hurdles to overcome. Defence will continue to work alongside Boeing to support the ramp up of training and the final delivery of all six completed aircraft.
"The Royal Australian Air Force will now commence formal training and building operational capability over the next 12 months.
"It is expected the new aircraft will aid the ADF in providing support for our naval fleet, assist in search and rescue and border protection."
Mr Combet said the Wedgetail project has also benefited local industry and local jobs.
"The Wedgetail project will not only boost the nation's defence capabilities but it has benefited local industry and will support 200 local jobs in the sustainment phase of the project."
Source : MoD Australia