Defence Minister Robert Hill today welcomed the completion of the first Radar and Identification Friend or Foe antenna for Australia’s new Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.

The multi-role electronically scanned array antenna, which was designed, manufactured and assembled by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems Sector in the United States, will be the primary sensor system aboard the Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft being produced under the Australia’s $3.45 billion Wedgetail project. Senator Hill last week saw the first 737 airframe roll fresh off the production line at Boeing’s Military Flight Centre in Seattle, United States.

The antenna is designed to detect air and sea targets simultaneously and will allow the AEW&C crew to control the aircraft while continuously scanning the operational area.

Senator Hill said the radar detected and accurately located aircraft and boats at long range and would provide a capability that is critical to Australia’s border protection.

"The new antenna exploits leading edge technology which will include full 360 degrees surveillance coverage," Senator Hill said.

"It will be extensively tested over the next five months at the Northrop Grumman test range in Baltimore before being installed on one of our new AEW&C aircraft."

The AEW&C fleet can perform a range of tasks including air defence, over-the-horizon targeting, search and rescue, battlefield surveillance and civil support operations – such as coastal surveillance. They will also be interoperable with our key coalition partners and provide a valuable niche capability for future coalition operations.

Under the terms of the contract signed with Boeing in December 2000, Defence will be acquiring four AEW&C aircraft with the option of purchasing an additional two or three aircraft at pre-agreed prices. The fleet is expected to be in service in 2007.

Project Wedgetail is under budget and six months ahead of schedule, with the first AEW&C aircraft due to fly before the end of the year.