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Boeing successfully tests Wedgetail countermeasures
By Gareth Jennings
12 November 2009
The Boeing 737-derived Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for Australia has successfully completed tests of its defensive-aids suite, the company announced on 9 November.
The tests of the countermeasures dispenser system (CMDS) were conducted in September and October off the coast of Washington state.
Completion of CMDS testing is a key step toward verification of the Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft's overall electronic warfare self-protection (EWSP) capability, which is designed to warn aircrews about and protect against missiles targeting the aircraft.
The CMDS responds to threats by releasing chaff and flares to decoy incoming missiles away from the aircraft. Boeing and its industry supplier, BAE Systems, developed and integrated the CMDS.
According to the company, testing included 19 flights that dispensed more than 500 units of chaff and flares. The AEW&C team collected data via five high-speed video cameras mounted on the Wedgetail aircraft and an additional video camera attached to a Lockheed T-33 chase plane.
The Wedgetail (named Peace Eye in South Korea and Peace Eagle in Turkey) is designed to provide the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with an airborne battle-management capability able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously.