Task Name: AIR5077 Phase 6 | Client: Royal Australian Air Force | Domain: Air | Tech Domain: Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare
Maintaining the Operational Effectiveness of the Wedgetail
Key E-7A Wedgetail mission system sensors and elements required significant upgrades to enhance survivability and interoperability with other ADF and allied assets for the platform to operate effectively in the modern battlespace
BACKGROUND
The E-7A Wedgetail aircraft is one of the most advanced airborne battle management capabilities in the world, capable of coordinating joint, air, sea and land battlespaces to provide real-time intelligence and C2 capability. With powerful surveillance and communication capabilities, the Wedgetail offers a significant asymmetric advantage, strengthening situational awareness and force coordination in modern warfare.
DEWC Services has a long and proud history supporting the aircraft, having worked on capability realisation, upgrade and sustainment activities for the capability since establishment.
THE PROBLEM
Key sensors and elements of the mission system of the E-7A Wedgetail required significant upgrades to enhance survivability and interoperability with other ADF and allied assets for the platform to operate effectively in the modern battlespace. The main objective of the AIR5077Ph6 Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) was to ensure the platforms operational effectiveness and mission readiness through to its planned withdrawal date.
THE SOLUTION
To meet the RAAF’s complex operational requirements, the DEWC team conducted a comprehensive assessment of electronic warfare systems which included evaluating both existing systems and those in development, with a focus on integrating new capabilities into the aircraft. Consideration was also given to ensuring commonality with other ADF platforms and aligning with future support processes.
Working with the AIR5077Ph6 Project team and the United States Air Force (USAF), DEWC defined a capability path to meet the RAAF’s AIR5077Ph6 requirements, as well as the requirements of the USAF as a joint partner. This included a new Electronic Support system that delivers a major capability upgrade over the previous system, and commonality with several new and soon to be introduced RAAF platforms. This commonality is key to achieving a significant goal of AIR5077Ph6—providing a shared approach to Mission Data Operational Support (MDOS) and EW reprogramming processes.
THE OUTCOME
Leveraging its extensive expertise in electronic warfare, DEWC played a key role in delivering a significant capability upgrade to the aircraft by enhancing the signals intelligence, communication, and mission systems.
