Wedgetail

The Boeing 737 AEW&C is a state-of-the-art system providing powerful airborne surveillance, communications and battle management.

The 737 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system encompasses both the Boeing 737-700 aircraft platform and a variety of aircraft control and advanced radar systems. Consisting of components created by Boeing and Northrop Grumman, the 737 AEW&C represents the standard for future airborne early warning systems.

737-700 Flight Platform
One of the most popular and reliable jet aircraft, the 737 series flight platform includes the following capabilities:

• 21st century avionics, navigation equipment, and flight deck
• Operational ceiling of 41,000 feet
• A flight range that exceeds 3,500 nautical miles
• Minimal downtime requirements and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts, and support equipment for cost-effective operation

AEW&C Functions
The AEW&C system includes the following elements:

• The multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar system includes:
• A steerable beam, L-band, electronically scanned array that provides optimal performance in range, tracking, and accuracy
• Radar that can track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously
• Assistance to the mission crew in directing the control of high-performance fighter aircraft while continuously scanning the operational area
• A "top hat" portion that provides a practical solution for fore and aft coverage while maintaining the low drag profile of the dorsal array system -- enabling the MESA system to be installed on the mid-size 737-700 platform without significant impact to aircraft performance
• An integrated identification friend or foe (IFF) function that shares the primary radar arrays to reduce weight, improve reliability, and simplify target correlation
• Advanced open-system architecture with standards-based design for cost-effective integration and add-on flexibility

Australia, Turkey and South Korea have purchased 14 737 AEW&C systems.