RAF Wedgetail programme reaches ‘significant milestone’
Work begins in UK on installing radar on aircraft fuselages
Section 46 fuselage sections of the first pair of E-7 Wedgetail Mk1 AEW&C aircraft for the UK RAF have arrived at the STS Aviation Services conversion site in Birmingham.
This was hailed by Air Cdre Richard Barrow, MoD Senior Responsible Owner for the E-7 Wedgetail programme, as ‘a significant milestone’.
Section 46 is the part of the fuselage where the Northrop Grumman-made Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar will be installed on a B-737 commercial aircraft fuselage (the basis for the Wedgetail platform), prime contractor Boeing noted on 2 November.
Wedgetail is expected to enter service with the RAF in 2023. The UK has ordered five aircraft with a predicted out-of-service date of 2045, Shephard Defence Insight notes.
As well as STS Aviation Services, other key subcontractors include Leonardo and Thales UK (defensive aids including the Elix-IR threat warning system and Vicon XF intelligent countermeasures dispensing system).
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Embraer’s Millennium and Super Tucanos generate new customers]()
Embraer’s Millennium and Super Tucanos generate new customers
Described as a “true” multi-role aircraft, Embraer has set an aim for the C-390 Millennium to be the cornerstone for different operations, from HA/DR to combat missions.
-
![Saab delivers fifth and final GlobalEye to UAE]()
Saab delivers fifth and final GlobalEye to UAE
Saab delivered the fourth GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the UAE earlier this year with the fifth aircraft concluding the order.
-
![US Air Force eyes multi-orbit SATCOM capabilities]()
US Air Force eyes multi-orbit SATCOM capabilities
The service is interested in the benefits it can provide such as network throughput, low latency, and resiliency for encrypted and non-encrypted communications.
-
![Greenlight for Romania’s F-35 purchase takes approvals for the decade to almost $35 billion]()
Greenlight for Romania’s F-35 purchase takes approvals for the decade to almost $35 billion
Romania is set to get the go-ahead for the purchase of F-35s after approval by the US State Department. Challenges before pen is put to paper remain, however, despite US$34.9 billion for 156 F-35s and equipment and systems having been approved to date.
-
![Japan cleared for more KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft under $4.1 billion deal]()
Japan cleared for more KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft under $4.1 billion deal
Japan ordered two KC-46A tanker aircraft under an FMS contract with the US Air Force awarded in December 2017. The deal was increased to six tankers with subsequent orders. Japan has now been approved for up to nine more aircraft.
