UK and US sow seeds in Australia for respective Wedgetail programmes
No.2 Squadron detached an E-7A Wedgetail like this one to RAAF Base Tindal in support of Exercise Pitch Black 2022. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
Australia’s RAAF is hosting UK and US secondments that will better inform their respective E-7 Wedgetail programmes. Indeed, more than two dozen RAF and USAF personnel are embedded with No. 2 Squadron, which operates six E-7As from RAAF Base Williamtown.
Several of these personnel participated in an Exercise Pitch Black 2022 detachment at RAAF Base Tindal.
Maj Christopher Dunn, a USAF E-3 Sentry air battle manager, said the RAAF-US exchange initiative has been going on for a decade, but it has a renewed focus with the USAF having committed to the E-7 to replace the E-3.
‘We’re going to leverage
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
Oshkosh and Grid Aero tie-up tests new model for scaling military UAS production
By combining established manufacturing capacity with startup aircraft design, the partnership could offer an alternative approach to scaling military uncrewed aircraft production.
-
European funding and NATO interoperability could shape Polish helicopter plans
Poland is seeking to update its transport helicopters as part of a wider military aviation modernisation programme, with EU funding requirements and NATO interoperability key considerations.
-
Poland air focus: $8.27 billion UAV market highlights value of long-term supplier relationships
Poland’s growing investment in UAVs highlights how recurring procurement contracts and continuous technological development can provide suppliers with sustained opportunities beyond initial acquisitions.
-
October crewed air review: Israel’s Apache deal bets on crewed aviation in an uncrewed age
Israel’s $1 billion Apache helicopter order highlights the continued demand for crewed attack aviation, while growing integration with uncrewed systems could shape future modernisation and procurement decisions.