The Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor for the US Air Force E-7 aircraft will be manufactured by Northrop Grumman Company.

The combat-proven MESA sensor, as part of the E-7 weapons system, will provide critical long-range sensing, detection, and identification in challenging environments, providing the US Air Force with simultaneous air and maritime sensing capabilities, critical early warning, and air battle management capabilities.

“The multifunction MESA sensor will offer the United States Air Force with essential multi-domain awareness to allow decision superiority for a variety of mission needs today and in the future,” said Ed Griebel, vice president of Northrop Grumman’s airborne surveillance projects. “We look forward to allowing worldwide alliance interoperability in conjunction with Boeing as we realize our pledge to the Air Force to rapidly bring unrivaled, decisive air combat management sensing capabilities, including long range first detect and first engagement in the battlespace.”

Its cutting-edge Airborne Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) sensor is already in production and being used by customers all over the world, offering 360-degree situational awareness and the flexibility to adapt to missions and situations in all weather conditions. MESA enables operators to focus on many priority tasks at the same time, revisit targets with greater accuracy, and pass vital information to enable timely Battle Management Command and Control choices.

MESA is now in production to address global threats in today’s battlespace and to evolve to meet future mission requirements. The E-7 system has been deployed in Australia, Turkey, and South Korea, with production on the UK E-7 AEW&C fleet currently ongoing.