Wedgetail. Peace Eagle. Peace Eye. Known by different names, the 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system provides a long range picture of the battlespace with its enhanced Airborne Moving Target Indication (AMTI) capability.
Perched on top of the AEW&C system is the Northrop Grumman designed and built Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor. The radar is the eyes of this impressive bird. The MESA radar electronically scans the skies around the Boeing 737-based aircraft, providing the warfighter with an unrestricted 360-degree view.
“This powerful sensor provides mission crews with the tools needed to track airborne and maritime targets while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area,” said Howard Lurie, vice president, airborne surveillance business unit, Northrop Grumman. “The ability to accurately detect and identify targets at increasingly longer ranges is critical to maintaining an advantage.”
Near-peer adversaries have been developing sophisticated advancements in platforms and system capabilities that threaten our warfighters’ advantage in the battlespace. The MESA radar for the AEW&C system provides critical domain awareness for warfighters and allows them to see farther and make accelerated and informed decisions to meet mission objectives.
Targeted Energy and Increased Range
MESA provides the ability to dynamically adjust to each unique or emerging tactical situation. The advanced radar can extend its detection range without having to fly closer to a threat situation. By targeting its energy to the threat, the sensor can nearly double its detection range in the emphasis location, all while maintaining a full background of the entire battlespace. Compared to other surveillance radars, MESA also has higher update rates for enhanced tracking, bringing battle management to the edge of the radar surveillance envelope.
This powerful radar system enables tracking of airborne and maritime targets simultaneously, including the ability to revisit high profile targets at rapid rates. At the same time, MESA provides a fully integrated, world-class, long-range Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) capability to maintain continuous surveillance of the operational area.
Maintaining Situational Awareness
Modern jamming threats can jeopardize the warfighters’ understanding of the environment. With MESA’s multiple channels and independent receivers, the sensor uses modern electronic protection techniques to adapt to jamming and electronic attack threats, while simultaneously maintaining situational awareness. No matter the threat, MESA ensures the warfighter retains a constant view of the battlespace.
Proven and Trusted Capabilities
When tracking and identifying electronic signals and targets, false alarms or thermal noise can be mistakenly identified by a surveillance radar. With MESA’s quick updates of the entire landscape, the sensor provides higher quality data – reducing inaccuracies and furthering the edge of the warfighter.
Northrop Grumman’s MESA also has a robust IFF system that recently achieved AIMS certification for a new Mode 5 for the system. An IFF system identifies if the other signal is – as the name states – friend or foe.
“Mode 5 enhances the ability to protect our warfighters by using advanced waveforms, cryptology and techniques to further the proven performance of MESA and its IFF system,” said Jack Hawkins, director, MESA, Northrop Grumman.
Currently, Australia, Turkey and South Korea have fielded AEW&C systems with production underway for the United Kingdom’s first AEW&C system.
