DEWC Services provides EW technical expertise to E-7A Wedgetail mid-life upgrade

Photos: Department of Defence

Industry-leading Electronic Warfare (EW) specialist, DEWC Services, is helping advance the nation’s airborne early warning and control aircraft, the E-7A Wedgetail, by supporting the mid-life upgrade project that will provide cutting-edge air battle management capabilities to support the fifth-generation battlespace.

The South Australian-based company, which has a strong track record of solving complex EW related problems for the Australian Defence Force, is leveraging its expertise to support a major upgrade of the signals intelligence, survivability and mission data capabilities of the Wedgetail.

As part of Wedgetail Project AIR5077 Phase 6, DEWC Services will provide technical expertise on enhancements to mission systems and sensors that will enable the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) capability to operate effectively in an emerging threat environment.

DEWC Services CEO Allan Dundas said the company will leverage the know-how and expertise of its team of ADF veterans, engineers and systems experts to deliver the upgrade.

“We have some of the brightest minds at DEWC and experts with many with years of experience who will ensure the timely delivery of a significantly enhanced AEW&C capability for Defence,” he said.

“We’re taking advantage of advancements in technology…working on aspects such as capability development, system requirements and design review and concept of operations development for the new capabilities.

“This project ensures the Wedgetail can operate effectively and efficiently within the fifth-generation battlespace while maintaining continued interoperability with Australian allies.”

The Wedgetail fleet, which has been operating for more than a decade, is currently undergoing an upgrade program, dubbed Project AIR 5077 Phase 5A, to update navigation, IFF (identification friend or foe), tactical datalinks, communication and encryption systems. Phase 5A provides the capability baseline upon for the advanced capabilities planned in Phase 6.

For more than a decade, DEWC Services has provided expert support to the acquisition and sustainment of the EW capabilities and will continue its support in the forthcoming Phase 6 upgrade, which is designed to keep the Wedgetail AEW&C capability operationally effective through to the conclusion of its service.

“DEWC personnel have been privileged to share the maturation journey of the Wedgetail aircraft to become a world leading capability that is highly regarding worldwide as demonstrated by the platform now being acquired our UK and US defence force allies,” Dundas said.

DEWC Services was established over a decade ago and provides the Australian Defence Force and industry partners with technical experience in Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare. The company is built on the core value of delivering effective Defence outcomes in the nation’s best interests.

DEWC Services’ capabilities will be showcased at Avalon on the South Australia – The Defence State stand, at Stand 3G24, Hall 3.

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