RAAF Wedgetail Achieves FOC

摘要

Australia achieved Final Operational Capability (FOC) with its E-7A Wedgetail aircraft in April. The country's Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews announced the milestone on May 26, during a visit to Defence Establishment Fairbairn, Canberra. The entire capability of six Wedgetails, from physical aircraft to logistics, management, sustainment, facilities and training is now fully operational and able to support ongoing operations. The Wedgetail has already proven to be highly reliable and effective on operations, says Andrews. The aircraft has recently been deployed on Operation Okra to support the fight against IS in Iraq, completing more than 100 surveillance sorties with coalition partners and flying at least 1,200hrs. It also provided co-ordination and flight safety capability for the air search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean.