Boeing has won a USD 2.56 billion contract from the US Air Force (USAF) for two rapid prototype E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, including lifecycle development, training, and support for the USAF’s E-7A fleet.
Boeing states that the E-7A Wedgetail offers targeted tracking and battle management command-and-control capabilities to joint forces, providing an advantage of being the “first to detect, first to engage.”
The E-7 AEW&C platform is currently in use by the Royal Australian Air Force, the Republic of Korea Air Force (designated E-737 Peace Eye), and the Turkish Air Force (designated E-7T Peace Eagle).
“Global operators are proving that the E-7 AEW&C is a critical node for air superiority in the modern battlespace,” said Boeing Vice President and E-7 Program Manager Stu Voboril.
“In our partnership with the U.S. Air Force, we’re focused on stable, predictable execution to deliver crucial mission-ready capabilities today. This will put us on the path for the long-term growth of the aircraft and mission.”
Built on the Boeing 737-700 NG airframe, the E-7 AEW&C aircraft offers lower operating and sustainment costs, higher mission readiness rates, and unmatched interoperability among a growing global user community.
“Our customers have an urgent need for integrated battlespace awareness and battle management,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers division.
“The E-7A is the airspace lynchpin to continuously scan the skies, command and control the battlespace, and integrate all-domain data providing a decisive advantage against threats. With our open systems architecture approach, capabilities can be rapidly inserted over time as threats evolve.”
In February 2021, General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, the Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces, suggested that the USAF quickly obtain E-7s to replace the E-3s deployed to the Indo-Pacific region and in October 2021, the USAF released a “Notice of Contract Action,” indicating its intention to award Boeing a sole-source contract to assess the E-7’s ability to meet USAF configuration standards and mandates.
On 26 April 2022, the USAF announced that the E-7 would replace the E-3 because it is the only platform capable of meeting the requirements for the US Defense Department’s tactical battle management, command and control, and moving target indication capabilities within the needed timeframe. An initial USD 1.2 billion contract was awarded in 2023 to develop two new US-specific variants of the E-7. A final production decision for a total fleet of 26 aircraft is planned for 2025, with the first USAF E-7 entering service in 2027.
Boeing is currently producing three E-7A AEW&C aircraft for the Royal Air Force, with military modifications taking place in the United Kingdom.
The Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and U.S. Air Force have a Wedgetail tri-lateral cooperation agreement related to E-7 aircraft capability development, evaluation and testing, interoperability, sustainment, operations, training, and safety. Additionally, NATO has chosen the E-7A as its preferred AEW&C solution.
