The Minister for Defence, John Moore, today signed a partnership statement with The Boeing Company for the Airborne Early Warning &Control capability. A contract for four Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft and associated support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) was signed at the same time.

"The AEW&C system will form the cornerstone of Australia’s air and maritime surveillance, and early warning and detection capability, well into this century," Mr Moore said. "Accurate and timely surveillance is essential to Australia, regardless of the type of future operation Australian forces may be required to participate in.

"The finalisation of this contract for the AEW&C capability is a significant move by Defence to begin implementation of the Defence Capability Plan (DCP). It is the first of the major acquisitions detailed in the recently released Defence White Paper, in which the Federal Government committed to a multi-billion dollar boost to Defence capability in Australia over the next decade."

Four AEW&C aircraft have been ordered with an option for another three. Total value of the project is $3 billion. The in-service date for the first two aircraft will be 2007.

"The DCP has been carefully formulated to provide the Defence Force with clear, long-term goals for the development of our armed forces and the funding needed to achieve those goals. Defence must now rise to the task of implementing this plan," Mr Moore said.

"The AEW&C system is a strategically important capability that will make a major contribution to Australia’s air combat capability, significantly multiplying the combat power of the upgraded F/A-18 fleet.

"The system will improve command and control, and the capacity for air defence of surface ships. It also will enhance Australia’s strike capability.

"Importantly it will also provide support to Coastwatch activities, as it will be capable of covering four million square kilometres during a single 10 hour mission – that’s the equivalent of Darwin to Perth and back again."

The AEW&C platform is based on Boeing’s highly successful 737 aircraft, the biggest-selling aircraft in the world. Australian industry will be participating in the project, contributing work to the value of around $400 million.

A further $800 million in strategic industry development activities is also possible. These include training and skills transfer, collaborative ventures, defence infrastructure development, research and development projects, and export sales.

Mr Moore said he was pleased to also announce today that Air Commodore Norm Gray has been appointed Head, Airborne Early Warning and Control Project (HAEW&C), and promoted to Air Vice Marshall.

The AEW&C fleet will be based at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, with a detachment operating from RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.

More information is available from Anna Marsden on 02 6265 2280 or 0410 626142.

Detailed background notes are attached.

• After one of the most rigorous assessments ever carried out by Defence, the Boeing Wedgetail aircraft is seen as providing the best capability and value for money for Australia’s needs.
• The contract signed today requires Boeing Space and Communications to provide four Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft with the option for another three.
• It also includes the supply of an Operational Flight Trainer for pilot training, and Operational Mission Simulator for operator training, associated mission support equipment and logistics support, and the building of an AEW&C Support Centre at Williamtown, NSW.
• The Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft is based on the proven Boeing 737 commercial airliner. The radar being developed by Northrop Grumman will be state-of-the-art and have significant growth potential. The Wedgetail mission systems will utilise commercial off-the-shelf technology that will enhance future development and capability.
• The in-service date for the first two aircraft will be 2007.
• Boeing and its radar supplier Northrop Grumman have extensive experience with AEW&C aircraft and have built systems for the United States, United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, NATO and Japan.
• Boeing’s Australian partners include Boeing Australia Limited (BAL), British Aerospace Systems Australia (BAES) and QANTAS. Boeing Australia will be responsible for the Operational Flight Trainer and involved in logistics support, fleet management and through-life support.
• BAES is primarily responsible for electronic support measures and self-protection systems as well as the Operational Mission Simulator and mission support systems. QANTAS will provide maintenance support for the aircraft.
• Work to be done by Australian industry for the AEW&C aircraft amounts to around $400m. In addition, more than $800m worth of strategic industry development activities have been identified. These include training and skills transfer, collaborative ventures, defence infrastructure development, research and development projects and export sales.
• The AEW&C Project has been leading the way for reform within the Defence Materiel Organisation, with an innovative tender and selection process involving close liaison with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the Air Force, and close interaction with Boeing as a part of Integrated Product Teams during the development and production phase will lead to Australia acquiring a world class AEW&C capability.

• Risk reduction has been paramount in the development of the project to date and emphasis has been placed on incorporating the lessons learnt from previous large acquisition projects.
• The project will be headed at the two star level and continuity of project personnel will be maintained. Regular reviews have and will continue to be undertaken, and the Project will report to Government on a regular basis.
• The AEW&C fleet will be based at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, with a detachment operating from RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The project involves infrastructure development at both bases, including hangars and headquarters buildings, and is expected to bring up to $50m and 250 jobs to the Hunter Region.
• The aircraft will be operated by No 2 Squadron, which has a distinguished history including World War One, World War Two and Vietnam.
• RAAF personnel are already training on AEW&C aircraft in the United States and the United Kingdom, to ensure the full capability of the Wedgetail aircraft will be realised at an early stage in its operation.

Maximum Takeoff Weight 77,565 kg

Maximum Landing Weight 60,782 kg

Maximum Operating Altitude 12,500 m

Nominal Operating Altitude 9000 to 12000 m

Maximum Dash Speed 870 kph True Airspeed (M 0.78)

Nominal Cruise Speed 760 kph True Airspeed

Endurance 10 hours (without Air-To-Air Refuelling)

737-700 Next Generation Increased Gross Weight

Auxiliary Fuel Tanks

Air-To-Air Refuelling receptacle and removable probe

Crew rest facilities

10 Mission Consoles

Self-Contained Exit Stairs

Modified CFM56-7 Engines with 180 kVA Generators

Mode S IFF Transponder

Instrument Landing System to CAT II

Cockpit Heads Up Display

Cargo Space for deployment support equipment

Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array Radar

Range in excess of 400 km

Directed Infra-Red Counter Measures

Chaff & Flares

ALR 2001

HF, VHF, UHF

LINK-11 & LINK-16

UHF SATCOM and ICS

Length 33.6 m

Wingspan 34.3 m

Height 12.6m

More information is available from Anna Marsden on 02 6265 2280 or 0410 626142

Air Commodore Gray joined the RAAF as Direct Entry Aircrew in January 1972.

During his Air Force career, he has flown as an operational navigator on Orion and Canberra aircraft, and carried out two instructional tours – one as the Weapon Guidance and Computer Specialist lecturer to the RAF GD Aerosystems Course, and the UK Empire Test Pilot School.

Air Commodore Gray was awarded Category A as an operational navigator, a ground instructor and as a navigation instructor.

He has served as the Commanding Officer of the RAAF School of Air Navigation, and had many years of staff experience in the Operational Requirements and Force Development areas in Canberra.

Air Commodore Gray is a graduate of the USAF Electronic Warfare Operations Staff Officers Course, the RAF GD Aerosystems Course, the USAF Air War College, and the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies.

He took up his current position as the Director General Aerospace Development in ADGQ in July 1998.

In June 1993, Air Commodore Gray was awarded the Order of Australia for exceptional service to the RAAF, in particular as Commanding Officer of the School of Air Navigation.

He is 48 years old, married, and has two daughters. In his spare time, Air Commodore Gray has a keen interest in computers and hiking.