Boeing Completes 1st Wedgetail AEW&C Mission Crew Training Course for Royal Australian Air Force

WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales, Nov. 12, 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Number 2 Squadron personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have delivered the first Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) mission crew training course at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales.

During the seven-month course, which began in March, eight instructors and three role players from Boeing Defence Australia provided eight RAAF students with more than 1,200 hours of programmed training on the airborne battle management aircraft's mission systems.

"Boeing Defence Australia is responsible for training the students in non-tactical areas across all aircraft mission systems, including data links, communications systems and the Multirole Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, to ensure they graduate with the necessary skills," said Todd Barker, Wedgetail AEW&C mission crew lead instructor and course director for Boeing Defence Australia.

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 commercial aircraft, the Wedgetail AEW&C platform is able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously through the advanced MESA radar and 10 mission crew consoles.

"As a key training service provider and integrator for the Australian Defence Force, Boeing Defence Australia continues to increase its in-country and international training footprint, as shown by the successful completion of Australia’s first AEW&C mission crew training course," said John Duddy, Boeing Defence Australia vice president and managing director. "Congratulations to the RAAF and Boeing Defence Australia's training team for this excellent outcome."

Subcontracted to The Boeing Company under the Wedgetail In-Service Support contract, Boeing Defence Australia is responsible for program management, supply chain management and engineering, maintenance and training services to support the six-aircraft fleet's introduction into RAAF service. To date, three aircraft have been formally accepted in an initial operating configuration by the Commonwealth. The fourth and fifth aircraft are scheduled to be delivered later this year and the remaining aircraft will be delivered in 2011.