Defence

PICTURE: Boeing flies first Wedgetail AEW&C modified in Australia

By Graham Warwick

Boeing has flown the first 737 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft modified in Australia under Project Wedgetail. The aircraft completed a 2.5h functional check flight from RAAF Amberley on 23 January.

The third of six 737 AEW&Cs for Australia, the aircraft will complete a second check flight before being flown to Seattle on 31 January to join the first two aircraft in the development test programme.

The aircraft was modified at Amberley by Boeing Australia, including installation of the mission equipment, Northrop Grumman MESA electronically scanned array surveillance radar and ventral fins.

                                                                                                                © Boeing

Boeing is now scheduled to deliver the first two Wedgetail aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force in March 2009, and the remaining four aircraft by the end of 2009.

Hardware and software integration issues have delayed development of the 737 AEW&C by two years. The first two Wedgetail aircraft are now engaged in mission-system testing in the USA.