Over the past three months, an Australian E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft has been deployed 45 times as part of NATO operations to monitor Russian activities near Ukraine, Australian outlet ABC News reported.
Operating from Poland, the Royal Australian Air Force crew conducted missions that included responding to a Russian MiG jet violating Estonian airspace and patrolling during significant drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.
Approximately half of these missions were reactive, addressing immediate threats, while the remainder were scheduled surveillance flights, primarily over supply lines delivering international aid to Ukraine.
The deployment concluded with the team returning to Australia, and their role will now be taken over by a Turkish aircraft and crew.
E-7A Wedgetail
The E-7A Wedgetail is an airborne early warning and control aircraft operated by Australia’s No. 2 Squadron.
The fleet includes six aircraft based at RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle.
Built on the Boeing 737-700 airframe, the Wedgetail has been modified for modern surveillance and battle management operations.
It is equipped with a Northrop Grumman Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array radar, which can simultaneously track airborne and maritime targets.
Moreover, the system integrates long-range and secondary radar with tactical and strategic voice and data links to coordinate air, sea, and land operations in real time.
During a typical mission, the system can monitor over 4 million square kilometers (1.54 million square miles), roughly the size of Western Australia or the Northern Territory.
The E-7A Wedgetail measures 33.6 meters (110 feet) in length, with a wingspan of 34.3 meters (112.5 feet).
It has a maximum takeoff weight of 77,565 kilograms (171,000 pounds) and a maximum landing weight of 60,782 kilograms (134,000 pounds).
The aircraft is powered by two CFM International CFM56-7 turbofan engines, each producing 27,300 pounds of thrust.
It has a range of 7,040 kilometers (4,375 miles) and can operate at a service ceiling of 41,000 feet (12,500 meters).
The Wedgetail reaches a maximum speed of 955 kilometers (593 miles) per hour and cruises at 760 kilometers (472 miles) per hour.
