One of the Royal Australian Air Force's most advanced battle management aircrafts will be zooming low over Bega and Merimbula this weekend.
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RAAF aircraft will conduct flypasts over various NSW locations in support of Anzac Day commemorations on Sunday, April 25, including over Bega and Merimbula.
Anzac Day holds special significance for the Air Force this year, following the marking of its 100th birthday on March 31, 2021.
The plans for the day include an E-7A Wedgetail flying above Anzac Day services in Bega and Merimbula, weather permitting.
It's scheduled to be over Bega's Carp St at 11.15am and then Beach St Merimbula at 11.30am.
According to the RAAF, the E-7A Wedgetail provides Australia with one of the most advanced air battlespace management capabilities in the world.
E-7A Wedgetails are capable of communicating with other aircraft and providing air control from the sky, and can cover four million square kilometres during a single 10-hour mission.
The E-7A Wedgetail is based on a Boeing 737-700, with the addition of an advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles which can track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously.
It is a highly advanced aircraft, providing an airborne early warning and control platform that can gather information from a wide variety of sources, analyse it, and distribute it to other assets.
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Wedgetail stats in brief
- Wingspan: 34.3 metres
- Weight: Maximum take-off weight 77,565 kg, maximum landing weight 60,782 kg
- Speed: Maximum 955kmh, cruise 760 kmh
- Range: 7040 km
- Ceiling: 41,000 feet
RAAF said flying this weekend was subject to variables including air traffic control requirements, weather, and operational availability. As such, flypasts and displays may be subject to cancellation at short notice.
Other towns and Anzac Day services across NSW will also be visited by RAAF aircraft including a F/A-18F Super Hornet, C130J Hercules, F-35A Lightning II, and No 100 Squadron heritage aircraft.
In 2015 a C130 Hercules flew low and loud over Bega's Anzac Day service to the delight of the large crowd.
Further information about the participating aircraft can be found at www.airforce.gov.au/Technology/Aircraft and www.airforce.gov.au/about-us/history/historic-aircraft.
