E-7 Wedgetail

E-7 Wedgetail
Name	E-7 Wedgetail
Type	Airborne early warning and control aircraft
Manufacturer	Boeing
Introduced	2009
Crew	7–13
Primary user	Royal Australian Air Force
Developed from	Boeing 737-700IGW

E-7 Wedgetail is an airborne early warning and control aircraft developed by Boeing from the Boeing 737 series and fielded by several air arms for surveillance, command, and control roles. It integrates sensor suites, communications, and mission systems to support operations alongside platforms such as the F/A-18 Hornet, F-35 Lightning II, and E-3 Sentry. The type has been involved in multinational exercises and operations with states including Australia, Turkey, South Korea, and United Kingdom partner forces.

Development

The program began when Boeing partnered with Northrop Grumman and suppliers to adapt the Boeing 737-700 for the Airborne Early Warning and Control mission, competing with systems like the E-3 Sentry and projects by Saab and Dassault. Initial customers included the Royal Australian Air Force after a procurement decision influenced by assessments from the Australian Defence Force and parliamentary reviews. Development milestones involved avionics integration with contractors such as Raytheon, BAE Systems, and L-3 Communications, as well as flight testing at Boeing Field. The program encountered delays reminiscent of other projects like the F-35 Lightning II and industrial challenges seen in collaborations between Pratt & Whitney suppliers and global partners. Export interest from nations including Turkey, Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and United Kingdom Ministry of Defence drove iterative design changes and led to partnerships with local firms such as TAI in Turkey and KAI in South Korea.

Design and Features

The airframe is based on the Boeing 737-700IGW and features a multi-role electronically scanned radar array mounted in a dorsal fin, offering persistent surveillance comparable to systems like the AN/APY-2 and complementing assets such as the P-8 Poseidon. Mission systems integrate data links including Link 16, secure communications tested with platforms like the C-17 Globemaster III and KC-30A (A330 MRTT). Crew stations support tactical control of fighters including the Eurofighter Typhoon and coordination with the MH-60R Seahawk in maritime scenarios. Defensive avionics leverage technologies used on F/A-18 Super Hornet avionics suites and interface with command nodes like the Joint Force Command networks. The aircraft's endurance and sensor fusion permit tasks historically assigned to the E-3 Sentry and to augment capabilities showcased during exercises with United States Air Force units and Royal Air Force assets.

Operational History

Operational deployments began with the Royal Australian Air Force supporting regional operations and international exercises such as those involving USNavy carrier strike groups and the Five Power Defence Arrangements. The type participated in coalition air policing and maritime domain awareness missions coordinated with the United States Pacific Command and southern hemisphere exercises alongside the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Export operators used the aircraft in counter-smuggling operations and joint training with the Republic of Korea Air Force during contingencies involving the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The platform has been employed in multinational responses coordinated through organizations like the United Nations and in cooperation with agencies such as Australian Border Force and Turkish Air Force units during NATO exercises. Incidents during testing prompted reviews similar to those seen in other complex avionics programs handled by Airbus and Lockheed Martin partners, resulting in software updates and logistics support agreements with entities like Boeing Defence Australia.

Variants and Upgrades

Planned and implemented upgrades mirror modernization paths seen in the E-3 Sentry and include radar software improvements, enhanced data-links comparable to Link 22, and mission system overhauls coordinated with contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Thales Group. Export-specific configurations incorporate country-unique communications suites seen in Turkish Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force inventories and sometimes avionics components from suppliers like Honeywell and Rockwell Collins. Proposed future adaptations consider receivers and signal processing advances similar to those under development for the P-8 Poseidon and collaborative programs with research institutions including CSIRO and university partners in Australia and South Korea.

Operators and Deployment

Primary operators include the Royal Australian Air Force and the Turkish Air Force, with other customers such as the Republic of Korea Air Force acquiring the type for regional surveillance. Deployments have supported cooperation with forces including the United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and regional partners like the Japan Air Self-Defense Force during exercises. The aircraft has been stationed at bases such as RAAF Base Williamtown, Eskişehir Air Base, and Gimhae Air Base to provide theaterwide situational awareness and to integrate with coalition command posts like USINDOPACOM and Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum during multinational operations.

Specifications

- Manufacturer: Boeing - Base airframe: Boeing 737-700IGW - Role: Airborne early warning and control - Crew: 7–13 mission crew - Sensors: Multi-role electronically scanned array radar, IFF, EW support suites - Communications: Link 16, secure satcom, tactical data links - Operators: Royal Australian Air Force, Turkish Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force

Category:Airborne early warning and control aircraft