PICTURE: Boeing flies first Wedgetail AEW&C modified in
Australia
By Graham Warwick
Boeing has flown the first 737 airborne early warning and control
(AEW&C) aircraft modified in Australia under Project Wedgetail.
The aircraft completed a 2.5h functional check flight from RAAF
Amberley on 23 January.
The third of six 737 AEW&Cs for Australia, the aircraft will
complete a second check flight before being flown to Seattle on 31
January to join the first two aircraft in the development test
programme.
The aircraft was modified at Amberley by Boeing Australia,
including installation of the mission equipment, Northrop Grumman
MESA electronically scanned array surveillance radar and ventral
fins.
Boeing is now scheduled to deliver the first two Wedgetail aircraft
to the Royal Australian Air Force in March 2009, and the remaining
four aircraft by the end of 2009.
Hardware and software integration issues have delayed development
of the 737 AEW&C by two years. The first two Wedgetail aircraft
are now engaged in mission-system testing in the USA.
DATE:25/01/08
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com