Australia to upgrade E-7A Wedgetail
The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF's) E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control capability is set for an upgrade, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 5 July.
The DoD will invest $582.5 million in the upgrade, which will include new and more advanced combat identification sensors, tactical data links and communication and encryption systems.
Work is expected to be completed by mid-2022.
The Wedgetail is a modified Boeing 737-700, with the addition of advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array radar and ten mission crew consoles.
Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, said: 'The upgrades are an important step in maintaining a potent Australia air combat force and will ensure continued interoperability with Australian allies including the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members.'
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