Boeing secures US Air Force contract for E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.

According to a PR published by Boeing on August 12, 2024, the company and the U.S. Air Force have formalized a $2.56 billion contract for the development and delivery of two rapid prototype E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. This agreement encompasses the lifecycle development, training, and support for the U.S. E-7A fleet. 
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E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft. (Picture source: Boeing)

The E-7A Wedgetail, a platform already in use by the Royal Australian Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, and Turkish Air Force, is renowned for its advanced tracking and battle management command-and-control features.

Boeing is also engaged in the production of three additional E-7As for the Royal Air Force, with ongoing modifications in the UK.

The Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and U.S. Air Force have established a tri-lateral cooperation agreement to collaborate on the development, testing, and operational integration of the E-7A capabilities.

About the aircraft

The E-7A Wedgetail is an aircraft, developed by Boeing, and built on the Boeing 737-700 Next Generation airframe. It is designed to provide comprehensive battle management, surveillance, and command-and-control capabilities. The aircraft's core component is its Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, which can simultaneously track airborne and maritime targets.

The MESA radar is fixed atop the fuselage, allowing it to scan large volumes of airspace without the mechanical constraints of older rotating radar systems, such as those found on the E-3 Sentry. This technology supports enhanced target tracking and engagement capabilities, enabling forces to detect and respond to threats with increased speed and precision.