Boeing 737 AEW&C

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737_AEW%26C

The Boeing 737 AEW&C is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control
aircraft. It is lighter than the 707-based Boeing E-3 Sentry, and mounts a
fixed, active electronically scanned array radar antenna instead of a rotating
one. It was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under "Project
Wedgetail" and designated E-7A Wedgetail.

The 737 AEW&C has also been selected by the Turkish Air Force (under "Project
Peace Eagle", Turkish: Baris Kartali) and the Republic of Korea Air Force
("Project Peace Eye", Korean: "?? ??"), and has been proposed to Italy and the
United Arab Emirates.

In the 1990s, Australia began forming a need for an airborne early warning and
control (AEW&C) aircraft. In 1996, Australia issued a request for proposal (RFP)
for the aircraft for the RAAF under Project Wedgetail. In 2000, Australia
awarded Boeing Integrated Defense Systems a contract to supply four AEW&C
aircraft with options for three additional aircraft.

The radar antenna array is also doubled as an ELINT array, with a maximum range
of over 850 km at 9,000 metres (30,000 ft) altitude. The 10.8 m long by 3.4 m
high antenna assembly incorporates 7.3 m long by 2.7 m high Side-Emitting
Electronic Manifold array, with the top hat supporting array providing 120°
coverage on port and starboard side, while the top hat array itself provides 60°
fore and aft, thus providing a complete 360° coverage. The radar's beam can be
set for a 2° to 8° width, while scan duration can be set from 3 s to 40 s. Radar
signal processing equipment and central computer are installed directly below
the antenna array.

Other modifications include ventral fins to counterbalance the radar and
countermeasures mounted on the nose, wingtips and tail. In-flight refueling is
via a receptacle on top of the forward fuselage. The cabin features eight
operator consoles with sufficient space for four more; the Australian fleet will
operate ten consoles with space for two more (four on port side and six on the
starboard side). Northrop Grumman's MESA radar also formed the basis for the
same company's Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) which
was developed for the United States Air Force's E-10 MC2A aircraft.

Role
Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C)

Manufacturer
Boeing DSS (modifications)
Boeing Commercial Airplanes (original 737 Next Generation design)

First flight
2004

Introduction
Early 2009

Status
In use

Primary users
Royal Australian Air Force
Turkish Air Force
Republic of Korea Air Force

Number built
14

Developed from
Boeing 737 Next Generation

On 1 April 2014, the first operational sortie occurred with the air control of
maritime patrol aircraft taking part in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight
370 off the coast of Western Australia.

On 1 October 2014, a Wedgetail conducted the first Australian sortie over Iraq
supporting coalition forces conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In November 2015, the Australian E-7A performed the
longest Australian command and control mission in a war zone during a 17-hour,
6-minute combat mission, requiring two air-to-air refuelings to stay aloft.
Australian Wedgetail crews routinely perform 13-hour missions. In early April
2016, Rotation 5 of aircrew and maintenance personnel that had been operating
the RAAF Wedgetail in the Middle East achieved a record 100 percent mission
success rate in Coalition operations against ISIS. The E-7A successfully
conducted all 36 missions, each lasting upwards of 12 hours, amounting to nearly
500 hours of flying for the one aircraft.

On 26 May 2015, Australia's fleet of six E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning &
control (AEW&C) aircraft achieved final operational capability (FOC). This
occurred after the aircraft supported search operations for MH370 and took part
in Operation Okra, flying 1,200 hours during more than 100 sorties in the fight
against ISIL.

Operators

Australia
Royal Australian Air Force – six aircraft in use. The type is designated "E-7A
Wedgetail" by Australia.

South Korea
Republic of Korea Air Force – four aircraft in use. Republic of Korea Air Force
is considering ordering 2-3 additional Peace Eye aircraft.

Turkey
Turkish Air Force – four aircraft in use

Specifications

General characteristics
Crew: six to ten
Payload: 43,720 lb (19,830 kg)
Length: 110 ft 4 in (33.6 m)
Wingspan: 117 ft 2 in (35.8 m)
Height: 41 ft 2 in (12.5 m)
Wing area: 980 ft² (91 m²)
Airfoil: B737D
Empty weight: 102,750 lb (46,606 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 171,000 lb (77,600 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × CFM International CFM56-7B27A turbofans, 27,000 lbf (118 kN)
each

Performance
Cruise speed: 530 mph (853 km/h)
Range: 3,500 nmi (6,500 km)
Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,500 m)

Avionics

Northrop Grumman multi-role active electronically scanned array radar




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