Aircraft
Australia To Upgrade Wedgetail AEW&C Aircraft
The RAAF is also upgrading its Hawk fighter-trainers, and joining the US Navy in development of a new jammer for EA-18G Growlers.
The RAAF’s six Wedgetails will be upgraded at a cost of nearly $450 million. (Photo: Mike Yeo)
The RAAF’s six Wedgetails will be upgraded at a cost of nearly $450 million. (Photo: Mike Yeo)

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will upgrade its fleet of six E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, to include new advanced combat identification sensors; tactical datalinks; communications hardware and encryption system; and mission computing hardware and software upgrades. The fleet was delivered by Boeing from 2009 to 2012, following a troubled development. Australian defense minister Marise Payne announced the upgrade the day before she presided over delivery of the last two of 12 Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to the RAAF.