An artist's impression of the "Wedgetail" Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.

A significant milestone was recently achieved for the "Wedgetail" Airborne Early Warning and Control Project (AEW&C) in the United States.

The start of production for the first Boeing 737 will entail the assembly and modifications necessary to incorporate the AEW&C mission system into the aircraft.

Boeing employees in Witchita have begun the first stages of transforming sheets of aluminium into major parts of the aircraft's fuselage structure.

Fabrication, assembly and inspection of the fuselage is expected to take eight weeks when it will then be transported by train to another factory in Seattle.

At this stage the fuselage will enter the production line and other essential parts will be added. This will include the wings, tail, undercarriage and engines.

Once all assembly activity is complete, the basic aircraft can expect to be rolled out in late October.

A series of necessary ground checks will be performed before the "Wedgetail" takes to the sky in November.

While production of the aircraft is just starting, the first radar is approaching completion in Baltimore.

The radar is the primary sensor on the aircraft and differs from others because it has no major moving parts. Instead of rotating in a dome, the radar is electronically controlled to rapidly point where it is most needed.

The "Wedgetail" will undergo a series of extensive tests and certification before it is introduced for active Air Force service in early 2007.

By WGCDR John Kenny