Boeing 737 AEW&C
Boeing 737 AEW & C is a military version of the Boeing 737- 700ER, which is equipped as an airborne early warning and Einsatzleitflugzeug and is in the air forces of several countries in use. The extensive modifications of the original commercial aircraft include a completely new interior with workstations, various countermeasures against missile attacks (ECM ) and a plurality of antennas - in addition to the smaller number of cabin window the only visually discernible change. The most salient of the antennas is the Active Electronically Scanned Array radar panoramic view of Northrop Grumman reserved.
The Royal Australian Air Force uses for the Boeing 737 AEW & C, the designation E -7 Wedgetail. The derived name "Boeing 737- 7ES Wedgetail " or " AEW & C Wedgetail ", however, are incorrect. Even the occasionally occurring in the media label "E -737 ", based on the Boeing E -767, neither Boeing nor by any operator officially used.
Technology
As a starting model for the 737 AEW & C are standard commercial aircraft of type Boeing 737-700 IGW, which have to be extensively modified. The heart of the system is an AESA radar by the American defense company Northrop Grumman. This is in an assembled on the rear part of the machine structure, which is 10.7 m long and weighs 2950 kg. Due to the AESA technology, it is possible, in spite of the rigid structure to ensure a 360 ° visibility. To this end, four separate antennas are accommodated in a structure: Two large vertical surfaces, which monitor the left and right sides 130 °, and two small area on the upper edge of the monitor back and forth in each case 50 °. The radar system operates in L-band ( 1-2 GHz), has a range of over 370 km and is able to track simultaneously over 3000 sea and air targets. The integrated IFF system can make an identification up to 560 km.
Inside the 737 a complete redesign is undertaken. The analysis of the radar data and the operational control of associations takes on a mission crew of six to ten people. The equipment therefore includes powerful mission computer as well as six to ten consoles. In addition, the crew is a rest room.
The other modifications include three RF, VHF/UHF- four, four and two UHF HAVE QUICK radio equipment as well as link 11 - and Link 16 data links. The entire avionics is designed as an open system architecture and it can be upgraded if required other radio systems.
Countries
Australia
Australia The Royal Australian Air Force joined in 2000 as a launch customer for the 737 AEW & C, after they had already decided in July 1999 as part of the Wedgetail program for this model. The original contract included the conversion of two machines by Boeing, upgrading two other machines by Australian companies as well as the option for three more machines. In May 2004, Australia broke the option on two of the three aircraft one, so that the increased delivery to the RAAF on a total of six 737 AEW & C, four of which should be equipped in Australia. As a subcontractor to Boeing acted BAE Systems Australia, the order for maintenance was awarded to the domestic Qantas Airways.
In December 2002, the conversion of the first machine at Boeing in Seattle began. The first flight of the 737 AEW & C took place in the 21 May 2004. In July of the following year, the test program has already been completed successfully and the conversion began in January 2006 and in Australia in the AEW & C version. After delays, the first two aircraft were handed over at the 2nd Squadron based at RAAF Base Williamtown on 26 November 2009. However, since the electronic system, ESM was still not operational, the machines were initially used only for training purposes. The remaining machines were 2011/2012 shipped with fully functional systems and the rest converted by Qantas RAAF Base Amberley on. The initial operational capability ( "Initial Operating Capability " ) was obtained in November, the end of 2012.
Because the evaluation and procurement of six 737 AEW & C machines under the " Project Wedgetail " took place, these were now available from the RAAF the identifier E -7A " Wedgetail ", her first assignment was to participate in the search for the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
Qatar
Qatar Qatar announced during the show DIMDEX in March 2014 known three 737 AEW & C for its Qatar Emiri Air Force want to obtain.
South Korea
Flag of South Korea on November 7, 2006, the Company Boeing won with a total of 1.6 billion U.S. dollars, the South Korean tender for the procurement of four aircraft of the type, after Boeing had already been selected as the only bidder, three months earlier. The delivery is to take place between July 2011 ( a ) and 2012 (three). The first machine was rebuilt in the United States, met early August 2011 at the 5th Tactical Air Transport Squadron based Gimhae / Gimhae and there was officially handed over on 21 September 2011. The machines two to four received their military equipment at Korea Aerospace Industries. Boeing delivered the fourth and final machine in October 2012.
Turkey
Turkey Turkey ordered in May 2002, four aircraft with the option to procure an additional two aircraft. In September of the following year, the U.S. Boeing issued the necessary export license for military goods. The first of the four aircraft was converted by Boeing, the remaining three are to be converted in Turkey. Here, two Turkish defense companies TUSAS and Havelsan participate as subcontractors in the production of aircraft. The procurement runs (Turkish: Barış Kartali ) under the name Project Peace Eagle.
On 4 June 2008 TUSAS finished the modification work of Barış Kartali II ( Peace Eagle 2 ), the second Boeing 737 AEW & C for the Turkish Air Force. The testing in flight and technology took place in late 2008. A perception of the option for two additional aircraft is to be regarded as unlikely. The first delivery took place after delays in early February 2014 operator is the 131st squadron ( 131 Filo ), which is stationed as part of the 3rd Squadron in Konya.
Possible other customers
Italy expressed strong interest to buy a fleet of four 737 AEW & C as well as the ten also based on standard 737- passenger aircraft P -8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft -. In December 2008, however, the purchase of four Seeraumüberwachungsflugzeugen ATR -72 was known as a surprise. In order for the purchase of a family of aircraft based on the 737 seems to have become unlikely.
In the United Arab Emirates is running a tender for AEW & C aircraft, taking part in the Boeing 737 AEW & C with his.