Airborne outpost onboard ‘ Wedgetail ’

W ith nearly sixty years of global experience operating Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) platforms, the operational technique for using this vital capability is truly mature. The newest addition to RAAF force structure, the Boeing/Northrop-Grumman ‘Wedgetail’ AEW&C aircraft, is expected to become operational later this decade. ‘Wedgetail’ is without doubt strategically the most important new capability being acquired for the Australian Air Force. However, the RAAF has never operated any system in this class, and will face a steep learning curve in developing a new operational paradigm for ‘Wedgetail’. Additionally, this is the first of a new generation of Western AEW&C aircraft equipped with modern 360-degree azimuthal coverage Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) radars. The importance of ‘Wedgetail’ cannot be overstated, as regional operators move to field a wide range of AEW&C types. India has ordered the Elta/Beriev A-50I with a variant of the Phalcon Lband AESA radar, and is apt to field a second tier system based on the EMB-145. China is flight testing a very similar A-50 derived system. Malaysia and South Korea are shopping for a mid range system, while Taiwan and Japan already operate AEW&C aircraft. By 2010 wealthier regional nations without AEW&C will be the exception rather than the rule. The broader issues in introducing a new AEW&C capability are manifold. Not only must the aircraft be introduced into service, training systems developed, support infrastructure built, software support systems made to work, but also a doctrinal model must be created covering the strategic, operational and tactical usage of the aircraft. This will include the integration of technique with existing force structure elements such as the fighter and strike assets Air Combat Group. Specific flying technique, airborne offensive and defensive tactics, along with supporting fighter tactics will need to be developed. None of this is trivial by any measure. Perhaps the best starting point for a discussion of these issues is the US Air Force Doctrine Document AFDD 2-5.2 on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations, the upper level guide to how the US employs its fleet of E-3C AWACS aircraft and other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. As the biggest and most experienced operator of AEW&C capabilities, the US Air Force sets the global benchmark in this game. US doctrine emphasises a number of key issues.