
DAYTON, Ohio--The U.S. Air Force is examining potential improvements for the communications and radar systems of the Boeing [BA] E-7A Wedgetail, which is to replace at least 15 of the venerable E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes for airborne moving target indication. Improvements upon the Northrop Grumman [NOC] Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar would increase range and allow the radar to detect small radar cross section targets. "For comms, AWACS right now uses Iridium for bandwidth," Tom…