E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft

Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail was developed for the Royal Australian Air Force, with the first two aircraft delivered in late 2009 following a series of delays through the development process.

The Wedgetail provides Australia with the world’s most advanced airspace battle management capabilities with the capacity to coordinate a joint air, sea, and land battle in real time, significantly increasing the effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force.

Wedgetail is based on Boeing 737-700 aircraft platform and incorporates a variety of aircraft control and advanced radar systems. The Wedgetail combines long-range surveillance radar, secondary radar, and tactical/strategic voice and data communications systems to provide an airborne early warning and control platform.

During a standard mission, the E-7A Wedgetail can cover more than 4 million square kilometres, an area the size of Western Australia or the Northern Territory. It is capable of unlimited long-range deployment with in-flight refuelling.

The Royal Australian Air Force operates six E-7A Wedgetail aircraft based at RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle.