On 4 November 2022, Northrop Grumman announced that their first Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor was installed on an E-7 Wedgetail Mk1 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft for the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF). The MESA sensor is intended to provide the UK Wedgetail fleet with long-range airborne sensing capabilities, for early warning, surveillance, and air battle management tasks.
Northrop Grumman is the developer of the MESA system which provides air crews with 360° situational awareness in all weather conditions. The MESA is capable of providing Airborne Moving Target Indication (MTI), which will enable UK forces to simultaneously detect, track and identify airborne and maritime adversary targets at long range, while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area. Australia, Turkey and South Korea have fielded E-7 family AEW&C aircraft, with production underway on the second and third E-7 aircraft for the UK.
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