100-623: The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail , also marketed as the Boeing 737 AEW&C , is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation design. It has a fixed, active electronically scanned array radar antenna instead of a rotating one as with the 707-based Boeing E-3 Sentry . The E-7 was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under "Project Wedgetail" and designated E-7A Wedgetail . The 737 AEW&C has also been selected by
200-621: A L3Harris Gulfstream-based variant are competing for the contract. Final proposals were due in April 2024. In October 2018, the British Government announced that it was in talks with Boeing about the potential for the E-7 Wedgetail to replace its E-3D fleet. Talks about using the aircraft were also taking place with Australia. The apparent decision to proceed with procurement without a competition received some criticism, with
300-689: A major offensive on the Western Front after the collapse of Russia allowed them to increase their forces in the west. Falling initially against the British southern flank, the offensive pushed the Allies back significantly, and the squadron was forced to withdraw to airfields further back from the front as German forces advanced steadily: on 2 April it moved from Savy to Bertangles, on 4 April to La Bellevue and then on 4 June to Fouquerolles, remaining there until 21 June when it moved to Liettres to support
400-474: A $ 1.6 billion contract with South Korea to deliver four aircraft by 2012. Boeing beat the other entrant, IAI Elta 's Gulfstream G550 -based aircraft, which was eliminated from the competition in August 2006. The first Peace Eye aircraft was delivered to Gimhae Air Base , Busan for acceptance testing in August 2011 with the remaining three aircraft delivered every six months until 2012. The second aircraft
500-667: A 360 degree coverage, the radar antenna of the Chinese AWACS does not rotate. Instead, three PAR antenna modules are placed in a triangular configuration inside the round radome to provide a 360 degree coverage. The installation of equipment at the Il-76 began in late 2002 aircraft by Xian aircraft industries (Xian Aircraft Industry Co.). The first flight of an airplane KJ-2000 made in November 2003. All four machines will be equipped with this type. The last to be introduced into service
600-485: A Russian-made Ilyushin-76 cargo plane [also incorrectly reported as a Beriev A-50 Mainstay] with advanced Elta electronic, computer, radar and communications systems. Beijing was expected to acquire several Phalcon AEW systems, and reportedly could buy at least three more [and possibly up to eight] of these systems, the prototype of which was planned for testing beginning in 2000. In July 2000, the US pressured Israel to back out of
700-525: A chance encounter on a ground attack sortie. After this, several more German aircraft were shot down by the squadron's pilots before the squadron was withdrawn from operations in December to re-equip with Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a fighters. In January 1918, the squadron moved to Savy, and the following month gained its first victories with the new aircraft type. During early 1918, the Germans launched
800-459: A different installation was used to direct Bristol Beaufighters toward Heinkel He 111s , which were air-launching V-1 flying bombs . In February 1944, the US Navy ordered the development of a radar system that could be carried aloft in an aircraft under Project Cadillac. A prototype system was built and flown in August on a modified TBM Avenger torpedo bomber . Tests were successful, with
900-721: A further delay due to integration issues with the radar and Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems. In November 2009, Boeing delivered the first two 737 AEW&Cs to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). These aircraft remained Boeing owned and operated prior to the RAAF's formal acceptance in May 2010. The RAAF accepted its sixth and last 737 AEW&C in June 2012. All RAAF Wedgetails are operated by No. 2 Squadron RAAF and based at RAAF Base Williamtown . In November 2012,
1000-478: A major advance in capability, being the first AEW to use a pulse-Doppler radar , which allowed it to track targets normally lost in ground clutter. Previously, low-flying aircraft could only be readily tracked over water. The AWACS features a three-dimensional radar that measures azimuth, range, and elevation simultaneously; the unit installed upon the E-767 has superior surveillance capability over water compared to
1100-499: A major asset in an AEW aircraft. Following a crash, the US Navy opted to discontinue lighter than air operations in 1962. In 1958, the Soviet Tupolev Design Bureau was ordered to design an AEW aircraft. After determining that the projected radar instrumentation would not fit in a Tupolev Tu-95 or a Tupolev Tu-116 , the decision was made to use the more capacious Tupolev Tu-114 instead. This solved
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#17328021856921200-612: A maximum range of over 850 km at 9,000 metres (30,000 ft) altitude. The Swedish Air Force uses the S 100D Argus ASC890 as its AEW platform. The S 100D Argus is based on the Saab 340 with an Ericsson Erieye PS-890 radar. Saab also offers the Bombardier Global 6000 -based GlobalEye . In early 2006, the Pakistan Air Force ordered six Erieye AEW equipped Saab 2000s from Sweden. In December 2006,
1300-543: A maximum range of over 850 km at 9,000 metres (30,000 ft) altitude. Radar signal processing equipment and a central computer are installed directly below the antenna array. Other modifications include ventral fins to counterbalance the radar and countermeasures mounted on the nose, wingtips and tail. In-flight refueling is via a receptacle on top of the forward fuselage. The cabin has eight operator consoles with sufficient space for four more. The Australian fleet will operate ten consoles with space for two more, four on
1400-483: A pseudorandom set of frequencies and also have very short scanning rates, which makes them difficult to detect and jam. Up to 1000 targets can be tracked simultaneously to a range of 243 mi (450 km), while at the same time, multitudes of air-to-air interceptions or air-to-surface (including maritime) attacks can be guided simultaneously. The radar equipment of the Israeli AEW&;C consists of each L-band radar on
1500-482: A signed project contract, for the modernization of the E-7 Peace Eagle aircraft in the inventory of Turkish Air Force to meet the current operational needs of Air Force and to eliminate the obsolescence in the software. Within the scope of modernization, the aircraft will be equipped with IFF Mode 5 Responder, Karetta CRPA Antenna, Mission Computer Hardware developed by Aselsan . In November 2006, Boeing won
1600-621: A sole-source contract to study the E-7 to determine if it can meet USAF configuration standards and mandates. In April 2022, the U.S. Air Force announced that the E-7 would replace the E-3, as it "is the only platform capable of meeting the requirements for the Defense Department's tactical battle management, command and control and moving target indication capabilities within the timeframe needed..." In 2023, an initial $ 1.2 billion contract
1700-669: A substantial AEW capability, initially with American Douglas AD-4W Skyraiders , designated Skyraider AEW.1, which in turn were replaced by the Fairey Gannet AEW.3 , using the same AN/APS-20 radar. With the retirement of conventional aircraft carriers, the Gannet was withdrawn and the Royal Air Force (RAF) installed the radars from the Gannets on Avro Shackleton MR.2 airframes, redesignated Shackleton AEW.2. To replace
1800-647: A total of 14 Wedgetail and P-8 MMA aircraft, with aircraft support to be provided by Alitalia . In 2008, owing to budget constraints, Italy chose not to proceed with either aircraft and chose a smaller, less expensive, interim solution in place of the P-8, the ATR 72MP . In 2012, Italy acquired two Gulfstream G550 CAEW as part of a counter-deal to Israel's $ 1 billion (~$ 1.31 billion in 2023) order for 30 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainers, followed by an additional order of two more aircraft in 2022. The Wedgetail
1900-586: Is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadron that operates from RAAF Base Williamtown , near Newcastle, New South Wales . From its formation in 1916 as part of the Australian Flying Corps , it has flown a variety of aircraft types including fighters , bombers , and Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C). During World War I, the squadron operated on the Western Front conducting fighter sweeps and ground-attack missions. It
2000-512: Is an airborne radar early warning system designed to detect aircraft , ships , vehicles , missiles and other incoming projectiles at long ranges, as well as performing command and control of the battlespace in aerial engagements by informing and directing friendly fighter and attack aircraft . AEW&C units are also used to carry out aerial surveillance over ground and maritime targets , and frequently perform battle management command and control (BMC2). When used at altitude,
2100-530: Is considered to be both more capable and less expensive to operate than the older Boeing 707-based Phalcon fleet. In 2017, India announced plans to purchase six airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) ("AWACS") aircraft that can also perform aerial refuelling, with the first two AEW&C aircraft awaiting approval by Cabinet in 2020. However, in September 2021, it was decided to use six Airbus A321s acquired from Air India instead. On 3 June 1957,
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#17328021856922200-488: Is currently in service with Israel, Italy, and Singapore. Instead of using a rotodome, a moving radar was found on some AEW&C aircraft, and the EL/W-2085 used an active electronically scanned array (AESA) – an active phased array radar. This radar consists of an array of transmit/receive (T/R) modules that allow a beam to be electronically steered, making a physically rotating rotodome unnecessary. AESA radars operate on
2300-525: Is fixed, unlike the hydraulically-rotated AN/APY-1/2 of the E-3 Sentry , which the 737 AEW&C is set to replace. Despite this, the radar is still able to offer 360-degree azimuth scan using two broadside (side-emitting) electronic manifold arrays, each covering two 120° sectors to starboard and port, and an end-fire array housed within the top hat that covers a 60° front and aft of the aircraft. The radar antenna array also serves as an ELINT array, with
2400-469: Is in the middle of a two-phase mid-life upgrade to its existing fleet of E-3 Sentry aircraft. In August 2022, the U.S. Air Force revealed that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in the E-7. In April 2024, Canada announced it would be investing CA$ 5 billion on AEW&C capabilities. The GlobalEye may be a competitor to the E-7. In 2004, the Italian Air Force was considering the purchase of
2500-546: The Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Shortly after forming, under the command of Major Oswald Watt , the unit was transferred to the United Kingdom to complete training, arriving at Harlaxton on 30 January 1917. Between February and September 1917, the squadron undertook training with Royal Flying Corps units before being equipped with Airco DH.5 fighters. To differentiate the squadron from
2600-763: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) began a study of requirements for developing an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWAC) system. In 2015, DRDO delivered 3 AWACs, called Netra , to the IAF with an advanced Indian AESA radar system fitted on the Brazilian Embraer EMB-145 air frame. Netra gives a 240-degree coverage of airspace. The Emb-145 also has air-to-air refuelling capability for longer surveillance time. The IAF also operates three Israeli EL/W-2090 systems, mounted on Ilyushin Il-76 airframes,
2700-659: The Italian Navy is operated from the aircraft carriers Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi . During the 2010s, the Royal Navy opted to replace its Sea Kings with a modular "Crowsnest" system that can be fitted to any of their Merlin HM2 fleet. The Crowsnest system was partially based upon the Sea King ASaC7's equipment; an unsuccessful bid by Lockheed Martin had proposed using a new multi-functional sensor for either
2800-569: The Ministry of Defence accused of displaying favouritism towards Boeing, while Saab voiced its opposition to the "non-competitive" deal as it could offer the Erieye system mounted on Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft. In March 2019, the UK signed a $ 1.98 billion (~$ 2.33 billion in 2023) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetails. The aircraft will be designated the "Wedgetail AEW1". Airframe modification
2900-531: The Pakistan Navy requested three excess P-3 Orion aircraft to be equipped with Hawkeye 2000 AEW systems. China and Pakistan also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the joint development of AEW&C systems. The Hellenic Air Force , Brazilian Air Force and Mexican Air Force use the Embraer R-99 with an Ericsson Erieye PS-890 radar, as on the S 100D. Israel has developed
3000-592: The Russian invasion of Ukraine . The aircraft was to join international efforts to protect the flow of supplies to Ukraine. The Wedgetail arrived at Ramstein Air Base on 19 October. The Australians found the cold winter weather in Europe to be challenging and needed to develop anti-icing procedures. The deployment concluded in early April 2024. By this time the aircraft had flown sorties totalling 250 hours. Australia
3100-702: The Thorn-EMI ARI 5980/3 Searchwater LAST radar attached to the fuselage on a swivel arm and protected by an inflatable dome. The improved Sea King ASaC7 featured the Searchwater 2000AEW radar, which was capable of simultaneously tracking up to 400 targets, instead of an earlier limit of 250 targets. The Spanish Navy fields the SH-3 Sea King in the same role, operated from the LPH Juan Carlos I . The AgustaWestland EH-101A AEW of
Boeing E-7 Wedgetail - Misplaced Pages Continue
3200-840: The Turkish Air Force (under "Project Peace Eagle", Turkish : Barış Kartalı , designated E-7T , the Republic of Korea Air Force ("Project Peace Eye", 피스 아이 ), and the United Kingdom (designated Wedgetail AEW1). In April 2022, the United States Air Force announced that the E-7 will be replacing the E-3 beginning in 2027. As early as 1986, the Australian Department of Defence evaluated industry proposals for airborne surveillance and early warning systems. In 1994, further studies led to
3300-420: The Turkish Air Force are deploying Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft. The Boeing 737 AEW&C has a fixed, active electronically scanned array radar antenna instead of a mechanically-rotating one, and is capable of simultaneous air and sea search, fighter control and area search, with a maximum range of over 600 km (look-up mode). In addition, the radar antenna array is also doubled as an ELINT array, with
3400-584: The United States Navy , the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye AEW&;C aircraft is assigned to its supercarriers to protect them and augment their onboard command information centers (CICs). The designation "airborne early warning" (AEW) was used for earlier similar aircraft used in the less-demanding radar picket role, such as the Fairey Gannet AEW.3 and Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star , and continues to be used by
3500-513: The $ 1 billion agreement to sell China four Phalcon phased-array radar systems. Following the cancelled A-50I/Phalcon deal, China turned to indigenous solutions. The Phalcon radar and other electronic systems were taken off from the unfinished Il-76, and the airframe was handed to China via Russia in 2002. The Chinese AWACS has a unique phased array radar (PAR) carried in a round radome. Unlike the US AWACS aircraft, which rotate their rotodomes to give
3600-470: The 13th Army Wing, RFC, it undertook its first combat operations on the Western Front a month later. Its first major action came during the Battle of Cambrai in November and December when it was heavily involved as a low-level ground attack unit, attacking German trenches, but suffering heavy casualties in doing so. On 22 November, the squadron shot down its first German aircraft in air-to-air combat during
3700-613: The 1930s, the British developed a radar set that could be carried on an aircraft for what they termed "Air Controlled Interception". The intention was to cover the North West approaches where German long range Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor aircraft were threatening shipping. A Vickers Wellington bomber (serial R1629) was fitted with a rotating antenna array. It was tested for use against aerial targets and then for possible use against German E boats . Another radar equipped Wellington with
3800-603: The 737-700ER. It uses the Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar . The 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 (look-up mode). The MESA radar
3900-737: The AEW role. The "Mainstay" is based on the Ilyushin Il-76 airframe, with a large non-rotating disk radome on the rear fuselage. These replaced the 12 Tupolev Tu-126 that filled the role previously. The A-50 and A-50U will eventually be replaced by the Beriev A-100 , which features an AESA array in the radome and is based on the updated Il-476. In May 1997, Russia and Israel agreed to jointly fulfill an order from China to develop and deliver an early warning system. China reportedly ordered one Phalcon for $ 250 million, which entailed retrofitting
4000-503: The AN/APY-1 system on the earlier E-3 models. The E-2 Hawkeye was a specially designed AEW aircraft. Upon its entry to service in 1965, it was initially plagued by technical issues, causing a (later reversed) cancellation. Procurement resumed after efforts to improve reliability, such as replacement of the original rotary drum computer used for processing radar information by a Litton L-304 digital computer. In addition to purchases by
4100-792: The AW101 or another aircraft. The Russian-built Kamov Ka-31 is deployed by the Indian Navy on the aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant and also on Talwar -class frigates . The Russian Navy has two Ka-31R variants, at least one of which was deployed on their aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov in 2016. It is fitted with E-801M Oko (Eye) airborne electronic warfare radar that can track 20 targets simultaneously, detecting aircraft up to 150 km (90 mi) away, and surface warships up to 200 km (120 mi) distant. No. 2 Squadron RAAF World War II Malayan Emergency Vietnam War No. 2 Squadron
Boeing E-7 Wedgetail - Misplaced Pages Continue
4200-410: The Allies launched their own offensive in August around Amiens after which the squadron was employed to attack German airfields, and as the Germans were forced back, attacking withdrawing German troops on the ground. Throughout October, in an effort to keep up with the advance, the squadron moved three times and by the time the armistice was signed in November it was based at Pont-a-Marq . Following
4300-545: The Australian Minister for Defence, Brendan Nelson , stated that the Wedgetail was delayed despite Boeing's prior assurance that work was on schedule. Boeing announced an 18-month delay due to problems integrating radar and sensor systems, and did not expect delivery until early 2009. Boeing incurred $ 770 million (~$ 1.12 billion in 2023) in charges over the delay in 2006. In June 2008, Boeing announced
4400-752: The British No. 2 Squadron RFC , it was known to the British military as "No. 68 Squadron RFC". This terminology was never accepted by the AIF who continued to use the AFC designation regardless, and by January 1918 the British designation was officially discontinued. In late September 1917, the squadron flew its aircraft across the English Channel , landing in St Omer without incident or loss – and after overnighting there it moved to Baizieux . Assigned to
4500-520: The Canberras flew approximately 12,000 sorties. Although the squadron initially undertook high-level night-time attacks, the majority of its operations were low-level daylight attacks; and according to historian Steve Eather the squadron achieved a high success rate, accounting for 16 percent of 35 TFW's assessed bomb damage despite flying only five percent of its missions, while maintaining a 97–98 percent serviceability rate. It dropped 76,389 bombs and
4600-513: The Chinese Air Force until the end of 2007. China is also developing a carrier-based AEW&C, Xian KJ-600 via Y-7 derived Xian JZY-01 testbed. The EL/W-2085 is an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) multi-band radar system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and its subsidiary Elta Systems of Israel. Its primary objective is to provide intelligence to maintain air superiority and conduct surveillance. The system
4700-526: The E-3 had insufficient detection range against aircraft like the Chinese Chengdu J-20 . In April 2021, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported that Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian , commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa , also voiced support for a near-term E-7 acquisition. In October 2021, the USAF published a "Notice of Contract Action", stating its intent to award Boeing
4800-863: The Federal government committed to deploying one of the squadron's Boeing 737s to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, as part of a coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq. The aircraft began undertaking missions in Iraq on 1 October. The final Wedgetail rotation to the Middle East ended in early 2019. In July 2023 the Australian Government announced that a Wedgetail aircraft and up to 100 personnel would be deployed to Germany for six months as part of Operation Kudu from October as part of Australia's response to
4900-575: The French during the Marne offensive . During this time, the squadron was attached to the Royal Air Force 's Nos 10, 22, 51 and (finally) 80 wings. Despite the moves, the squadron maintained a high operational tempo, becoming involved in heavy air-to-air combat during fighter sweeps, and also being used to attack advancing German ground forces (see image left). After the German offensive was finally halted,
5000-422: The IAI/Elta EL/M-2075 Phalcon system, which uses an AESA ( active electronically scanned array ) in lieu of a rotodome antenna. The system was the first such system to enter service. The original Phalcon was mounted on a Boeing 707 and developed for the Israeli Defense Force and for export. Israel uses IAI EL/W-2085 airborne early warning and control multi-band radar system on Gulfstream G550 ; this platform
5100-456: The Levant (ISIL). In May 2015, the Wedgetail fleet achieved final operational capability (FOC). In November 2015, the Wedgetail performed the longest Australian command and control mission in a war zone during a 17-hour, 6-minute combat mission, requiring two air-to-air refuelings to stay aloft. Australian Wedgetail crews routinely perform 13-hour missions. In early April 2016, Rotation 5 of aircrew and maintenance personnel that had been operating
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#17328021856925200-459: The RAAF Wedgetail in the Middle East, achieved a record 100 percent mission success rate in Coalition operations against ISIS . The E-7A successfully conducted all 36 missions, each lasting upwards of 12 hours, amounting to nearly 500 hours of flying for the one aircraft. The final Wedgetail rotation to the Middle East ended in early 2019. In October 2023, an Australian Wedgetail was deployed to Europe to contribute to international efforts to protect
5300-414: The RAAF accepted the first two of six Boeing 737s, and by the end of 2010, the squadron had begun training. In 2011, after a period of conversion training for its crews, it took part in Exercise Talisman Sabre with US and Australian forces. The squadron forms part of the Surveillance & Response Group's No. 42 Wing , which is responsible for the RAAF's AEW&C capability. On 14 September 2014,
5400-731: The RAF for its Sentry AEW1 , while AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) emphasizes the command and control capabilities that may not be present on smaller or simpler radar picket aircraft. AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) is the name of the specific system installed in the E-3 and Japanese Boeing E-767 AEW&C airframes, but is often used as a general synonym for AEW&C. Modern AEW&C systems can detect aircraft from up to 400 km (220 nmi) away, well out of range of most surface-to-air missiles. One AEW&C aircraft flying at 9,000 m (30,000 ft) can cover an area of 312,000 km (120,000 sq mi). Three such aircraft in overlapping orbits can cover
5500-444: The S-bands. Historically, UHF radars had resolution and detection issues that made them ineffective for accurate targeting and fire control; Northrop Grumman and Lockheed claim that the APY-9 has solved these shortcomings in the APY-9 using advanced electronic scanning and high digital computing power via space/time adaptive processing. The Russian Aerospace Forces are currently using approximately 3-5 Beriev A-50 and A-50U "Shmel" in
5600-452: The Shackleton AEW.2, an AEW variant of the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod , known as the Nimrod AEW3 , was ordered in 1974. After a protracted and problematic development, this was cancelled in 1986, and seven E-3Ds, designated Sentry AEW.1 in RAF service, were purchased instead. Many countries have developed their own AEW&C systems, although the Boeing E-3 Sentry , E-7A and Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and Gulfstream/IAI EL/W-2085 are
5700-446: The Turkish Air Force, with an option for two more. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is the Peace Eagle's primary subcontractor, performing parts production, testing, aircraft assembly and conversion. Another Turkish subcontractor, HAVELSAN , is responsible for ground support elements, system analysis and software support. HAVELSAN is the only foreign company licensed by the U.S. Government to receive critical source codes. Peace Eagle 1
5800-409: The US Navy, the E-2 Hawkeye has been sold to the armed forces of Egypt , France , Israel , Japan , Singapore and Taiwan . The latest E-2 version is the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye , which features the new AN/APY-9 radar. The APY-9 radar has been speculated to be capable of detecting fighter-sized stealth aircraft, which are typically optimized against high frequencies like Ka, Ku, X, C and parts of
5900-415: The Wedgetail achieved Initial Operational Capability. On 1 April 2014, the Wedgetail's first operational sortie occurred in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 , helping control maritime patrol aircraft off Western Australia's coast. On 1 October 2014, a Wedgetail conducted the first Australian sortie over Iraq supporting coalition forces conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and
6000-503: The aerial mapping of Australia and other locations including Papua New Guinea , Irian Jaya and the Cocos and Christmas Islands . Eventually, the squadron's Canberra bombers were retired from service and in late July 1982 the squadron was disbanded. The squadron was re-formed in January 2000 to operate Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft procured as part of Project Wedgetail , out of RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal . On 26 November 2009,
6100-401: The aircraft had slipped to 2024. In February 2023, Air Chief Marshal Michael Wigston stated that the order of three aircraft may gradually rise to five. In February 2021 General Kenneth S. Wilsbach , the Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces , proposed that the USAF rapidly acquire E-7s to replace the E-3s deployed to the Indo-Pacific region. In March 2022, Wilsbach stated that
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#17328021856926200-403: The approval of the first phase of Project AIR 5077 . In 1996, Australia issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the aircraft for the RAAF under Project Wedgetail , which refers to the indigenous eagle . In 1999, Australia awarded Boeing Integrated Defense Systems a contract to supply four AEW&C aircraft with options for three additional aircraft. The 737 AEW&C is roughly similar to
6300-623: The conclusion of hostilities, the squadron was withdrawn to the United Kingdom in March 1919 as the demobilisation process began. On 6 May its personnel embarked on the transport Kaisar-i-Hind for repatriation back to Australia, at which time the squadron was disbanded. During the war, No. 2 Squadron produced 18 flying aces , including Francis Ryan Smith , Roy Cecil Phillipps (the squadron's highest scorer), Roby Lewis Manuel , Henry Garnet Forrest , Adrian Cole , Eric Douglas Cummings , Richard Watson Howard , Frank Alberry , Ernest Edgar Davies , and James Wellwood . The squadron's total score
6400-406: The conflict ended, it remained in Malaysia throughout the early 1960s during the Confrontation , before despatching eight Canberras to South Vietnam in April 1967 as part of Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War . Based at Phan Rang Air Base in Ninh Thuan province, the unit became part of the United States Air Force 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (35 TFW) and between April 1967 and June 1971,
6500-432: The consequence of lessons learnt by the Royal Navy during the 1982 Falklands War when the lack of AEW coverage for the task force was a major tactical handicap, and rendered them vulnerable to low-level attack. The Sea King was determined to be both more practical and responsive than the proposed alternative of relying on the RAF's land-based Shackleton AEW.2 fleet. The first examples were a pair of Sea King HAS2s that had
6600-418: The end of hostilities. The squadron returned to Australia in mid-December 1945 and was disbanded in May 1946 at Laverton. Casualties during the war amounted to 176 killed. In the post-World War II period, the squadron was reformed briefly as a communications squadron based at Mallala, South Australia , in June 1947 before a reorganisation early the following year saw it redesignated as No. 34 Squadron , while
6700-408: The first of 2 HR2S-1W, a derivative of the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave , was delivered to the US Navy, it used the AN/APS-32 but proved unreliable due to vibration. The British Sea King ASaC7 naval helicopter was operated from both the Invincible -class aircraft carriers and later the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean . The creation of Sea King ASaC7, and earlier AEW.2 and AEW.5 models, came as
6800-605: The first of which first arrived on 25 May 2009. The DRDO proposed a more advanced AWACS with a longer range and with a 360-degree coverage akin to the Phalcon system, based on the Airbus A330 airframe, but given the costs involved there is also the possibility of converting used A320 airliners as well. IAF has plans to develop 6 more Netra AEW&CS based on Embraer EMB-145 platform and another 6 based on Airbus A321 platform. These systems are expected to have an enhanced performance including range and azimuth The Royal Australian Air Force , Republic of Korea Air Force and
6900-498: The flow of supplies to Ukraine following the Russian invasion of the country. This deployment was scheduled to last for six months. The Wedgetail returned to Australia in early April 2024. The Australian Government's 2024 Integrated Investment Program included a commitment to allocate $ A5 billion to $ A7 billion to replace the Wedgetail fleet between the 2024-25 and 2033-34 financial years. Four Boeing 737 AEW&C Peace Eagle aircraft along with ground support systems were ordered by
7000-480: The left and right sides of the fuselage and each S-band antenna in the nose and tail. The phased array allows aircraft positions on operator screens to be updated every 2–4 seconds rather than every 10 seconds, as is the case on the rotodome AWACS. ELTA was the first company to introduce an Active Electronically Scanned Array Airborne (AESA) Early Warning Aircraft and implement advanced mission aircraft using efficient, high-performance business jet platforms. In 2003,
7100-410: The most common systems worldwide. Boeing produces a specific system with a " rotodome " rotating radome that incorporates Westinghouse (now Northrop Grumman ) radar. It is mounted on either the E-3 Sentry aircraft ( Boeing 707 ) or more recently the Boeing E-767 ( Boeing 767 ), the latter only being used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force . When AWACS first entered service it represented
7200-490: The outbreak of World War II, under the command of Squadron Leader Alan Charlesworth , the squadron began maritime patrol and convoy escort operations off the Australian eastern seaboard, operating Avro Ansons , before being re-equipped with Lockheed Hudsons in May and June 1940. Wing Commander Frank Headlam took over command of the squadron in April 1941, and in early December 1941, shortly before Japan's entry into
7300-575: The previously existing No. 21 Squadron , equipped with Avro Lincolns at RAAF Base Amberley , became No. 2 Squadron. In 1953, the squadron was re-equipped with GAF Canberras , which it later operated from RAAF Butterworth during the Malayan Emergency , after deploying there in 1958 to relieve the Lincoln-equipped No. 1 Squadron RAAF . During the emergency, the squadron undertook airstrikes against communist forces and after
7400-654: The problems with cooling and operator space that existed with the narrower Tu-95 and Tu-116 fuselage. To meet range requirements, production examples were fitted with an air-to-air refueling probe. The resulting system, the Tupolev Tu-126 , entered service in 1965 with the Soviet Air Forces and remained in service until replaced by the Beriev A-50 in 1984. During the Cold war, United Kingdom deployed
7500-540: The radar system on AEW&C aircraft allows the operators to detect, track and prioritize targets and identify friendly aircraft from hostile ones in real-time and from much farther away than ground-based radars. Like ground-based radars, AEW&C systems can be detected and targeted by opposing forces, but due to aircraft mobility and extended sensor range, they are much less vulnerable to counter-attacks than ground systems. AEW&C aircraft are used for both defensive and offensive air operations, and serve air forces in
7600-656: The request, offering an E-7-based solution. Saab and Northrop Grumman also responded to the RFI, offering, the GlobalEye and the Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye , respectively. In November 2023, NATO stated that they are to procure six E-7s to replace their E-3s, to begin operations from 2031. The E-7 is expected to be based at Geilenkirchen and could operate from several forward locations across Europe. As of December 2023, Saudi Arabia
7700-563: The same radar. The Lockheed WV and EC-121 Warning Star , which first flew in 1949, served widely with US Air Force and US Navy. It provided the main AEW coverage for US forces during the Vietnam war. It remained operational until replaced with the E-3 AWACS. Developed roughly in parallel, N-class blimps were also used as AEW aircraft, filling gaps in radar coverage for the continental US, their tremendous endurance of over 200 hours being
7800-410: The same role as what the combat information center is to naval warships , in addition to being a highly mobile and powerful radar platform. So useful and advantageous is it to have such aircraft operating at a high altitude, that some navies also operate AEW&C aircraft for their warships at sea, either coastal- or carrier-based and on both fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms. In the case of
7900-639: The squadron was awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation . Throughout 1942–1943, the squadron continued operations with its Hudsons against the Japanese in the East Indies and conducted aerial resupply for elements of Sparrow Force that were fighting on Timor. Late in 1943, the squadron began training on the Bristol Beaufort , completing its conversion in January 1944. The squadron operated
8000-468: The squadron's detachments were withdrawn back to Australia as Japanese forces advanced south, attacking the squadron's forward bases. Wing Commander Tich McFarlane took over command of the unit in April. The squadron continued operations after its return to Australia, maintaining an intense bombing campaign against Japanese shipping and installations on islands including Timor and Ambon from May to October during which 13 crews were killed. For its service,
8100-526: The squadron's emblem. The squadron returned to Australia in 1971, having been deployed overseas for a total of 13 years. After Vietnam, No. 2 Squadron was based at Amberley, west of Brisbane , Queensland. It briefly returned to bombing role in training, but in the later years of the Canberra bomber's RAAF operations, it was predominately used for target towing in support of the RAAF's fleet of Dassault Mirage III fighters and survey photography to support
8200-671: The starboard side and six on the port side. Australia ordered four AEW&C aircraft with options for three additional aircraft, two of which have since been taken up. The first two Wedgetails were assembled, modified and tested in Seattle , Washington , while the remainder were modified by Boeing Australia , with deliveries once set to begin in 2006. Boeing and Northrop teamed with Boeing Australia, and BAE Systems Australia . Boeing Australia provides training, maintenance and support, BAE provides EWSP systems, Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems and ground support systems. In June 2006,
8300-717: The system being able to detect low flying formations at a range greater than 100 miles (160 km). US Navy then ordered production of the TBM-3W, the first production AEW aircraft to enter service. TBM-3Ws fitted with the AN/APS-20 radar entered service in March 1945, with 27 eventually constructed. It was also recognised that a larger land-based aircraft would be attractive, thus, under the Cadillac II program, multiple Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress bombers were also outfitted with
8400-528: The third quarter of 2008. In 2013, Israel delivered EW equipment for the Peace Eagle under US pressure. On 21 February 2014, the first Peace Eagle, named Kuzey (meaning North), was formally accepted by the Turkish Air Force. The remaining three aircraft are named Güney (South), Doğu (East) and Batı (West). The fourth and final Peace Eagle was delivered in December 2015. In IDEF 2023 was
8500-638: The type only briefly, alongside a small number of remaining Hudsons before converting to the North American B-25 Mitchell in May. After being withdrawn from operations briefly, it recommenced combat missions in late June, focusing on anti-shipping strikes, but also attacking Japanese airfields. Late in the war, No. 2 Squadron moved to Balikpapan in Borneo where it was used to drop supplies to Allied troops in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps before undertaking transportation duties following
8600-509: The war and were posted as "missing in action"; however the wreckage of their Canberra was finally located in April 2009 and their remains returned to Australia. The squadron was awarded the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and a United States Air Force Outstanding Unit Commendation for its service in Vietnam. During the deployment, the squadron's aircraft used the callsign "Magpie" in recognition of
8700-661: The war, the squadron moved to Darwin, Northern Territory where it maintained its maritime role and deployed detachments to the islands to Australia's north, including Ambon in the Dutch East Indies . After the outbreak of the Pacific War , the squadron mounted reconnaissance and bombing missions against Japanese forces, focusing on Japanese shipping. Success came early with a 306-tonne (301-long-ton; 337-short-ton) Japanese vessel being heavily damaged on 8 December, although heavy losses also came early on. In early 1942,
8800-501: The war. Two Canberras were shot down in 1970 and 1971. One was brought down by a surface-to-air missile from which the crewmen – one of whom was the squadron commander, Wing Commander Frank Downing – safely ejected and were rescued via helicopter, and another was lost during a bombing run near the Laos border. The crew of the latter aircraft, Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver, were not recovered during
8900-568: The whole of Central Europe . AEW&C system indicates close and far proximity range on threats and targets, help extend the range of their sensors, and make offensive aircraft harder to track by avoiding the need for them to keep their own radar active, which the enemy can detect. Systems also communicate with friendly aircraft, vectoring fighters towards hostile aircraft or any unidentified flying object. After having developed Chain Home —the first ground-based early-warning radar detection system—in
9000-416: Was 94 aircraft shot down, 73 out of control and 18 driven down. Its casualties amounted to 25 personnel killed and eight wounded. In 1922, No. 2 Squadron was briefly re-formed as part of the newly independent Royal Australian Air Force at Point Cook , Victoria, but it never progressed beyond a cadre unit and was disbanded a few months later. It was re-formed again on 3 May 1937 at Laverton . Following
9100-798: Was a competitor for the United Arab Emirates ' AEW&C program in 2007. In 2015, UAE selected the Saab GlobalEye over the Wedgetail and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. In 2014, Qatar stated it planned to purchase three 737 AEW&C aircraft. In 2018, Qatar decided not to proceed with the planned purchase. Data from Boeing General characteristics Performance Avionics Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Airborne early warning and control An airborne early warning and control ( AEW&C ) system
9200-492: Was again disbanded in 1982, following the retirement of the Canberra. It was re-formed in 2000 to operate the Boeing 737 AEW&C "Wedgetail". One of the six Boeing 737s was deployed to the Middle East in September 2014, as part of Australia's contribution to the military coalition against ISIS . On 20 September 1916, No. 2 Squadron was established as a unit of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Kantara, Egypt , drawing personnel mainly from Australian Light Horse units of
9300-409: Was awarded to develop two new US-specific variants of the E-7. A final production decision for a total fleet of 26 aircraft is planned for 2025, with the first USAF E-7 entering service in 2027. In 2022, NATO issued a "Request for Information" (RFI) for a capability to replace its 14 E-3A AWACS aircraft by 2035, with an "initial operational capability" by 2031. Boeing stated that it had responded to
9400-635: Was credited with 786 enemy personnel confirmed killed and a further 3,390 estimated killed; with 8,637 structures, 15,568 bunkers, 1,267 sampans and 74 bridges destroyed. An aircraft from the squadron responded to a distress call on 24 April 1969 and, against operational orders, bombed a site in Cambodia (the Fishhook ) where US special forces were pinned down. During its deployment to Vietnam, No. 2 Squadron suffered two crew members killed, two squadron members died of disease, and three from accidents during
9500-545: Was disbanded in mid-1919, following the end of hostilities. The squadron was briefly re-raised in 1922 as part of the newly independent RAAF, but was disbanded after only a couple of months and not reformed until 1937. It saw action as a bomber unit in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II and, equipped with English Electric Canberra jets, in the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War . The squadron
9600-423: Was expected in 2023. In December 2020, Air Forces Monthly reported that the UK was considering reducing its Wedgetail purchase from five to three aircraft and stated that such a move "could often mean just one aircraft would be available for operational tasking." The 2021 Integrated Defence Review confirmed the reduced order of three aircraft. In late 2022, it was reported that initial operating capability for
9700-411: Was expected to be performed by Marshall Aerospace, but it withdrew in May 2020, thus Boeing selected STS Aviation Group's UK branch on 20 May 2020. Two of the five aircraft are to be converted commercial airliners and the rest are to be new. Each conversion takes about 24 months, with work on the first aircraft starting in 2021 and the last to be completed in 2026. In June 2020, the first Wedgetail delivery
9800-543: Was modified and tested by Boeing in the US. Peace Eagle 2, 3 and 4 were modified and tested at TAI's facilities in Ankara, Turkey, in partnership with Boeing and several Turkish companies. In 2006, the four Peace Eagles were scheduled to be delivered in 2008. In September 2007, Boeing completed the first Peace Eagle test flight. In June 2008, it was announced that Peace Eagle 2, the second 737 AEW&C, had completed modifications. Flight and mission system checks were completed in
9900-495: Was modified into an AEW&C configuration by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), then delivered to Gimhae Air Base in December 2011. After receiving AEW&C modifications by KAI, the third aircraft was delivered in May 2012 to Gimhae Air Base. The fourth aircraft was delivered in October 2012. In 2023, South Korea initiated a competitive program to acquire four additional AEW&C aircraft. The Boeing E-7, Saab Global Eye , and
10000-408: Was the lead customer for the Wedgetail aircraft, which has since been purchased by several other countries. As of 2023, between 20 and 25 RAF personnel were serving with No. 2 Squadron ahead of the aircraft entering service in the UK. In June 2024 it was reported that 70 American personnel were embedded with No. 2 Squadron until the end of the year to help prepare for the aircraft to enter service with
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