Australia accepts final Wedgetail AEW&C design
Boeing has announced that Australia has accepted the final design of the Wedgetail airborne mission segment of the 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft being acquired for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This completes the acquisition of the six aircraft which will provide Australia with advanced airborne surveillance, communications and battle management capabilities.
As well as the six AEW&C aircraft, the Wedgetail programme also includes ground support segments such as the Operational Flight Trainer, Operational Mission Simulator and Mission Support System. All are located in the AEW&C Support Centre at RAAF Base Williamtown in Newcastle.
Air Vice Marshal Chris Deeble, Wedgetail program manager, Defence Materiel Organisation, said: ‘Australia has worked closely with Boeing and its industry partners to deliver a world-class Airborne Early Warning and Control capability. The performance of the Wedgetail in recent high-end coalition exercises indicates that we are delivering a cutting-edge warfighting capability to the RAAF.’
Rick Heerdt, Boeing vice president and program manager, Airborne Surveillance, Command and Control, added: ‘The collaboration between the RAAF, Boeing and our suppliers is proof that a strong government-industry partnership can do great things. A robust support programme is now in place to ensure Wedgetail's long-term service and success.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Northrop Grumman to present improved C2 management system]()
World Defense Show 2026: Northrop Grumman to present improved C2 management system
The Northrop Grumman Integrated Battle Command System is in service with Poland and the US Army with another 20 countries believed to have expressed an interest.
-
![Thales looks to boost DigitalCrew system through AI and human-machine teaming trials]()
Thales looks to boost DigitalCrew system through AI and human-machine teaming trials
The Thales DigitalCrew package, first unveiled at last year’s Defence IQ International Armoured Vehicles conference, is designed to merge imaging and apply a layer of decision-making and observation algorithms to support crew and other personnel.
-
![Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool]()
Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool
Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
