An RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft. (Photo: Australian DoD)
BAE Systems Australia will provide EW systems support for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft through to 2028 after a two-year extension to its existing contract.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will sustain the Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and EW Self-Protection (EWSP) systems for Boeing Defence Australia under the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) programme.
The company has been providing sustainment support for the Wedgetail fleet since its introduction into service in 2011 and has played a key role in ensuring the aircraft’s availability and mission readiness.
Australia declares Wedgetail fully operational
Australia to upgrade E-7A Wedgetail
Boeing signs new E-7A Wedgetail agreement
BAE Systems will provide engineering, field services, supply, maintenance and management support for the ESM and EWSP systems on the RAAF’s fleet of six E-7A Wedgetail aircraft at RAAF Base Edinburgh from its Edinburgh Parks facility.
The platform incorporates the Northrop Grumman Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar, and its communications can include HF, VHF/UHF, UHF and Link 11/16 (the customer selects encryption capability). Two CFM International CFM56-7B27A turbofan engines power it.
It is more than a decade since these aircraft entered service, but the type has received a boost in longevity in recent years, with the UK RAF ordering three in 2019, but this may yet be expanded to five, and USAF variants are expected to enter service in 2027, with a potential order of 24.
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
Connect with us on socials
