Page 41 - Williams Foundation Future of Electronic Warfare Seminar

A New Approach and Attitude to Electronic Warfare in Australia

In other words, with regard to airborne electronic warfare, the RAAF is looking to leverage multiple platforms
and build a foundation for evolving integrated capabilities for the future. It is about inclusion of EW within the
integrated and evolving force design.

Wedgetail and Its Evolution

During my visit to Australia in April 2017, I had a chance to continue my discussions with Group Captain Stuart
Bellingham, Officer Commanding Number 42 Wing, about the Wedgetail and its continuing evolution.

The Wedgetail has demonstrated in the Middle East and in high end warfare exercises that it is a very good
fit for the shift to a fifth generation enabled air combat force.

Most recently, I heard from USAF and RAF personnel involved in the first Red Flag this year, how impressive
they found the aircraft.

As one senior RAF pilot put it: “I would never fly with an AWACS if had a choice. I would only fly with
Wedgetail.”

Obviously, Number 2 Squadron and Number 42 Wing have made an impact on air combat thinking.

In this year’s Red Flag 17-1, the F-35 and F-22 flew with RAF Typhoons and USAF F-15s along with the
Sentinel UK aircraft and the Aussie Wedgetail, along with other assets as well.

But the exercise was notable in terms of the first appearance in Red Flag 17-1 an exercise in which one
combat participant noted: “In this exercise, the F-35 reshaped how we are thinking about the use of our entire
air combat force.

"The question was not what the F-35 could do for the rest of us; it was what can we contribute to the F-35 led
air combat force?”

The Wedgetail certainly found its place in answering that question and in providing unique quarterback
functionality to the force and to support functions from an ISR and C2 role as well.

Not only did the Wedgetail show up, but the Officer Commanding 42 Wing played a key role in the exercise
as well.

According to an article published in Australian Aviation on February 14, 2017:

GPCAPT Bellingham was the first non-US participant to be Director of the CAOC, leading 250 American, British
and Australian personnel. This was the first time a coalition nation has performed this role in such an exercise.

“We are integrated with these capabilities from start to finish, from planning missions, through to debriefing the
missions,” GPCAPT Bellingham said.

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