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)
The UK and US have personnel embedded in Australia to learn the ins and outs of the E-7A Wedgetail.
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
-
![The 2020s: a decade of UAV spending growth]()
The 2020s: a decade of UAV spending growth
Total annual drone spending has increased nearly sixfold since the start of the decade, from $2.9 billion in 2020 to $16.3 billion in 2028, with Europe leading the rise.
-
![July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough]()
July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough
Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026 revealed the growing scale of the UK’s uncrewed ambitions, with companies showcasing new CCA, autonomous wingmen and surveillance drones, while sovereign production emerged as a key factor for multiple programmes.
-
![July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop]()
July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop
The biannual Farnborough International Airshow 2026 was the backdrop in July for scores of deals, partnerships and announcements, including developments in the multinational next-generation Global Combat Air Programme and the UK’s $486 million trainer aircraft requirement.
-
![FIA 2026: Bell highlights MOSA-driven growth path for MV-75 Cheyenne]()
FIA 2026: Bell highlights MOSA-driven growth path for MV-75 Cheyenne
Bell Flight’s modular open-systems approach for the US Army’s MV-75 Cheyenne could open doors for international allies and suppliers once locked out by closed rotorcraft architectures.
-
![Maximise survivability with advanced electronic warfare (video)]()
Maximise survivability with advanced electronic warfare (video)
BAE Systems’ all-digital EW delivers 360-degree threat awareness in contested environments, boosts survivability, and cuts lifecycle costs.
