Northrop Grumman explains how MESA (Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array) is evolving combat identification in the battlespace.
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Media Release, Falls Church VA, 20 March 2025: For over 75 years, Airborne Early Warning & Control platforms have been indispensable assets to military forces around the globe. From early detection and surveillance to air defence and strategic deterrence, they are crucial to ensuring air superiority.
One such platform plays a pivotal role in airborne command and control and battle management: the E-7. Working as part of a larger network of platforms and systems, the E-7 serves as the airborne mission conductor, allowing operators to assess the landscape and direct fleet operations accordingly. This is made possible by having a comprehensive picture of the operational environment.
Northrop Grumman’s Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) — the multifunction surveillance sensor for the E-7 — provides operators 360-degree coverage of the battlespace and the ability to detect, track and classify a wide array of airborne, maritime and ground threats from long ranges. This real-time data is used to orchestrate the fleet in dynamic situations for effective mission execution.
Battle-Tested and Continuously Modernised: MESA’s combat identification (ID) technology — a key differentiator on the sensor — determines and discriminates friendly assets from potential threats and allows operators to manage operations dynamically at mission speed. In rapidly changing environments, the flexibility and agility of this technology maximises the effectiveness of allied forces and strengthens engagement decisions.
In collaboration with Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Northrop Grumman recently developed enhanced combat ID capabilities for MESA, and integrated and tested the updates using an operational E-7 aircraft. Rather than simulating performance via a testbed aircraft, an in-service E-7 was utilised to perform these flight tests, reflecting the technical maturity and mission readiness of these capabilities.
The mission system integration and subsequent flight tests were conducted from RAAF Base Williamtown, home to Australia’s E-7 aircraft. Flying in a true mission environment with these advanced capabilities for the first time, MESA identified air threats and securely processed key intel faster than ever before.
“Military operators need instant, precise identification data to make real-time decisions, especially as the battle landscape continues to advance at an exceedingly rapid pace,” said Ed Griebel, vice president of airborne surveillance programs, Northrop Grumman. “We’re modernising our multifunction sensor technology – including MESA – to deliver resilient capabilities quickly and without disruption.”
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