Media Release

The Defence Department's Aerospace Acquisition Division has contracted a consortium to provide independent verification and validation processes for its Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft project.

The scrutineering role has gone to TEAM Australia which is led by Ball Aerospace Australia and consists of 10 independent Australian commercial and defence companies brought together to provide specialised technical support capabilities to the program.

One of the largest defence projects in the pipeline, Project Wedgetail involves the acquisition of six or seven Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and associated support for the Australian Defence Force.

Wedgetail is an integral part of Australia's future defence planning with the AEW&C aircraft complementing the surveillance capabilities to be provided by the Jindalee Over the Horizon Radar System and ground based radars.

The AEW&C aircraft will enhance the reconnaissance and surveillance of the air and sea approaches to Australia. These versatile and sophisticated aircraft will also be utilised to direct air, ground and maritime combat assets in co-ordinated defence activities.

In addition to Ball Aerospace, TEAM Australia comprises Analysis & Technologies Australia, Ansett Technical Services, Australian Centre for Test & Evaluation, Australian Flight Test Services, Australian Technical Information, CAE Mrad, Dspace, Systems Planning Corporation (Australia), SYDAC and TDA Systems Engineering. The formation of TEAM Australia was assisted by the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) in South Australia.

Richard Hogan: 0419621753

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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