Australia deploys a potent surveillance aircraft to Poland.
E-7A Wedgetail Joins NATO Missions in Poland
The E-7A Wedgetail, an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, has arrived in Poland to support NATO missions along the eastern flank. This twin-engine aircraft, based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation, is named after the Wedgetail eagle, a bird native to Australia [6].
The E-7A Wedgetail is equipped with a powerful Northrop Grumman MESA multifunction radar, which enables it to detect, track, and provide wide-area air and sea surveillance [4][5]. The aircraft can track targets over 370 miles away and has robust communication and data-sharing systems to coordinate assets in air, sea, and ground domains.
This deployment marks the first E-7A mission to be conducted from Poland. The aircraft is expected to participate in NATO air policing and air operations coordination, as well as support allied tactical air forces' operations [1].
The E-7A Wedgetail's radar can simultaneously search in the air and at sea, control fighters, and search in the flight zone with a maximum range of over 600 km (look-up mode) [7]. The radar antenna also serves as an electronic intelligence (ELINT) grid with a maximum range of over 850 km at an altitude of 9,000 meters [8]. The aircraft is capable of providing 24/7 surveillance.
In addition to its NATO tasks, the E-7A Wedgetail is also expected to provide intelligence data to Ukraine. This could involve detection, tracking, and target designation functionality that would enhance the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defenses [2].
The arrival of around 100 Australian military personnel further supports the mission [1]. The E-7A Wedgetail is a Boeing product, with the specific designation Boeing 737 AEW&C [6].
The E-7A Wedgetail is not the same aircraft as the Boeing E-3 Sentry, which is based on the 707. The E-7 does not have a rotating radar like the Boeing E-3 Sentry [3].
This deployment serves as a platform for NATO specialists to familiarize themselves with the system ahead of the planned procurement of six Wedgetails by NATO to replace the aging E-3 fleet, potentially improving interoperability and air surveillance coverage across European theatres [1][3].
References:
- https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/21/e7-wedgetail-arrives-in-poland-for-nato-mission/
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-21/e7a-wedgetail-to-provide-intelligence-support-to-ukraine/102811486
- https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/nato-to-buy-six-e7-wedgetail-aircraft-to-replace-ageing-e-3-sentry-fleet/150720.article
- https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/e7-a-wedgetail/
- https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/21/e7-wedgetail-arrives-in-poland-for-nato-mission/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-7_Wedgetail
- https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/nato-to-buy-six-e7-wedgetail-aircraft-to-replace-ageing-e-3-sentry-fleet/150720.article
- https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/21/e7-wedgetail-arrives-in-poland-for-nato-mission/
The E-7A Wedgetail, a Boeing 737 AEW&C, is participating in NATO missions, providing air and sea surveillance in the industry of aerospace and facilitating finance by offering intelligence data to Ukraine. The deployment of the E-7A in Poland is a stepping stone towards potential procurement of six Wedgetails by NATO, aiming to improve interoperability and air surveillance coverage in Europe.
