Page 9 - issue05.04.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 5, 2019 P9

News

News bulletin
RAF lands £1.5 billion

Boeing Wedgetail deal

Simon Mander and control.”
He said as part of the transition to
THE RAF is to get five new E-7, the E-3D fleet will be cut from
surveillance aircraft to replace its from six to four by removing two
E-3D Sentry fleet as part of a £1.5 long-term unserviceable aircraft.
billion deal. He said the move would enable
The E-7 Wedgetail is currently the Sentry Force to focus on Nato
in service with the Royal Airborne Early Warning
Australian Air Force and Control Force and
and has been used on Alliance Assurance
Hot shot Beth’s operations in the battle Measures missions in
the Black Sea region.
against Daesh in Iraq
in the frame and Syria. on a Gavin Williamson
Defence
Secretary
Based
standard Boeing 737 said: “The E-7 provides
AIR FORCE photographer A/Cpl airliner its sophisticated a technological edge in
Beth Roberts has snapped up a top Northrop Grumman an increasingly complex
military apprenticeship award. active electronically-scanned battlespace, allowing our
The Waddington-based hot radar can cover four million square pilots to track and target adversaries
shot is one of 11 airmen and kilometres during a single 10-hour more effectively than ever. This deal
women from across the Services mission. also strengthens our vital military
trades to be honoured at an Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief partnership with Australia.”
annual awards ceremony. Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, said: The new fleet will be able to track
She said: “My apprenticeship “The announcement is excellent multiple airborne and maritime
has been a great way to consolidate news for both the RAF and wider targets at the same time, using the
all the skills I’ve learned day to defence. information it gathers to provide
day and it gives you a sense of “This world-class capability will situational awareness and direct SURVEILLANCE: The E-7 Wedgetail,
achievement to have a recognised significantly enhance our ability to other forces such as F-35 fighter jets above, will replace the E-3D, inset
qualification at the end of it.” deliver decisive airborne command and Type-26 warships.

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