Image courtesy RAF
The facility was named the Aden Wing during a formal ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s next-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) programme.
Built by Scottish supplier, McLaughlin & Harvey, the Aden Wing will serve as the dedicated hub for the UK’s future E-7 Wedgetail fleet and provides essential support facilities for operations and training.
“The Aden Wing represents a vital step forward in supporting the RAF’s E-7 Wedgetail programme,” said Sir Jeremy Quin, President of Boeing UK & Ireland. “This facility will be central to the operational success of the fleet and the training of future aircrew.”
Housed within the Aden Wing is the newly delivered E-7 Wedgetail Operational Flight Trainer, provided by Indra. The simulator is currently training the first aircrews in preparation for the Boeing-built E-7’s entry into service.
The introduction of the E-7 flight simulator has created six new simulator technician roles, strengthened the existing apprentice pipeline for aspiring technicians, and added functional support positions alongside two pilot instructors to meet the RAF’s growing operational needs.
Wing Commander Ben Fletcher, the Officer Commanding No 8 Squadron, said: “It is a real honour to see the naming of the Aden Wing today, as the new home of 8 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth. The name reflects the Sqn’s operational history, and was chosen from over 1000 suggestions that we received. Today also marks the next step toward delivering the Wedgetail capability for the Royal Air Force.”
The E-7 AEW&C aircraft, with 360-degree coverage via the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array sensor, is designed to locate and track multiple airborne, maritime and surface targets, simultaneously providing situational awareness of the battlespace to joint and coalition participants such as fighters, bombers and warships.
There are three aircraft currently undergoing modification at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham into the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet, supporting 190 highly skilled jobs in Britain.
More than 40 UK-based suppliers are involved in the UK E-7 programme, including local Scottish companies that contributed to the construction of the new facilities at RAF Lossiemouth.
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