ASW&C Wedgetail

Four New Stamps to Commemorate 90 Years of RAAF were issued on 22.2.2011. The four Air Force Aviation stamps feature the F-111 (60 cents), the F/A-18F Super Hornet (60 cents), the AEW&C Wedgetail ($1.20) and the C-17 Globemaster III ($3.00). This good maxicard sent to me by Vikki features the Wedgetail.

The Boeing 737 AEW&C is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft. It is lighter than the 707-based Boeing E-3 Sentry, and mounts a fixed, electronically scanned, rather than a rotating, radar antenna. It was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under "Project Wedgetail". The 737 AEW&C has also been selected by the Turkish Air Force, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and has been proposed to Italy and the United Arab Emirates. The Royal Australian Air Force Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft began entering service in 2009. Six Boeing 737 NGs are currently being modified to accommodate sophisticated mission systems and radars that will increase Australia's surveillance and air combat capability, provide air defence support for our naval fleet, and assist in civil operations such as border protection and search and rescue.

The Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft are operated by No 2 Squadron from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle. The first two Wedgetails are being modified in the United States of America, with the remaining four being modified at RAAF Base Amberley, near Brisbane. The postmark on the stamp on this maxicard is from the PO at Amberly.