Next up in the RAAF Iconic Aircraft countdown at number 6 is the radar superstar in the sky: the E-7A Wedgetail.
As the first Early Warning and Control aircraft in service, the Wedgetail is easily recognised by its game-changing MESA radar (AKA the ‘surfboard’) at the top of the fuselage. More than 600 hours of wind tunnel testing was required to perfect the aerodynamic design.
This Boeing 737 based aircraft was designed by the RAAF and subsequently taken up the air forces of Turkey, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
The Australian Air Force Wedgetail crew is able to monitor a 4 million square kilometre area and coordinate more than 60 aircraft over a single 10 hour mission.
Click on the photo at the top of this page to go to the RAAF website and an informative video about the aircraft and its role.
PS - Terry Maher has advised us that Australia Post is offering special stamps in line with the RAAF Centenary celebrations - check them out online or at your local PO.
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