Wedgetail radar tests.

Australia's Wedgetail programme saw another milestone reached in March 2006 when Boeing and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems completed the ground testing of the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (Mesa) radar aboard a 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft. This testing cleared the radar for flight testing at full power. The series of tests were geared to determining whether the Mesa would interfere with the aircrafts avionics or engines and also if it is compatible with the onboard mission systems. Australia has purchased six 737 AEW&C aircraft, the first two of which will be delivered for initial operational capability in July 2007. The Mesa radar which is also being tested against towed spheres that simulate cross sections of various fighter aircraft--is designed to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously and help the mission crew direct the control of fighter aircraft. Following these tests the programme is slated to move into the development, test and evaluation phase.