Profile: E-7A Wedgetail

Like the Poseidon, the RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetail is a heavily modified military derivative of Boeing’s 737 aircraft, which boasts Northrop Grumman’s Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, and 10 mission crew consoles. These features allow the Wedgetail to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously and make the aircraft one of the world’s most advanced in airspace battle management technologies.

The Wedgetail is equipped with multiple radars and tech that allows it to scan and communicate with up to 80 aircraft and ground and sea units over a distance of up to 4 million square kilometres during a single 10-hour mission. The RAAF’s six Wedgetails are operated by No. 2 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Williamtown.