Boeing Wins Major Contract to Supply Next-Gen E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Warning and Control Aircraft to USAF.

On July 19, 2024, the United States Air Force reached an important agreement with Boeing for the supply of E-7 Wedgetail airborne warning and control aircraft, despite the company's recent internal challenges. Announced at the Royal International Air Tattoo in western England, this deal represents a crucial step in modernizing U.S. aerial surveillance capabilities.
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Boeing E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Warning and Control Aircraft (AWACS) (Picture source: Boeing)

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall revealed that this provisional agreement covers the rapid production of E-7 Wedgetail prototypes, progressively replacing the older E-3 Sentry or AWACS aircraft. This development follows intense negotiations over the price of the 737-based Wedgetail aircraft. "We have reached an agreement with Boeing at a reasonable price that we can afford," Kendall stated. The contract is set to be finalized in August.

This agreement comes shortly after Boeing pleaded guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge related to the fatal 737 MAX crashes over five years ago. This legal decision raised concerns about the company's ability to secure contracts with government agencies such as the Department of Defense and NASA. However, Kendall reassured observers that this plea deal had not impacted negotiations with the Pentagon. "The short answer is that it has not affected us; we continue to do business with Boeing," he said.

Boeing, the Pentagon's second-largest supplier, welcomed the agreement, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen its defense business following a series of cost overruns and delays. A Boeing spokesperson stated, "We are focused on executing well and meeting our customer's needs."

The new agreement is part of the Air Force's efforts to replace the Cold War-era E-3s. These aircraft, recognizable by their distinctive rotating radar dome, enable crews to track targets and direct aircraft in combat. The transition to the E-7 Wedgetail, although delayed by price negotiations, is essential to avoid gaps in surveillance and control capabilities.

The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail is an advanced twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft, based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation design. Unlike the 707-based Boeing E-3 Sentry, which uses a rotating radar antenna, the E-7 features a fixed active electronically scanned array radar antenna. Originally designed for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under "Project Wedgetail," it was designated E-7A Wedgetail.

The 737 AEW&C has also been selected by the Turkish Air Force under "Project Peace Eagle" (Barış Kartalı, designated E-7T), the Republic of Korea Air Force under "Project Peace Eye", and the United Kingdom (designated Wedgetail AEW1). In April 2022, the United States Air Force announced that the E-7 would replace the E-3 starting in 2027.

In February 2021, General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces, proposed that the USAF rapidly acquire E-7s to replace the E-3s deployed to the Indo-Pacific region. In April 2021, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported that General Jeffrey Harrigian, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, also supported a near-term E-7 acquisition. In October 2021, the USAF published a "Notice of Contract Action" stating its intent to award Boeing a sole-source contract to study the E-7 to determine if it could meet USAF configuration standards and requirements.

On April 26, 2022, the U.S. Air Force announced that the E-7 would replace the E-3 as "the only platform capable of meeting the Defense Department's tactical battle management, command and control, and moving target indication capabilities within the needed timeframe." An initial $1.2 billion contract was awarded in 2023 to develop two new U.S.-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.

The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail offers several significant improvements over its predecessor, the E-3 Sentry, also known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System). Here are some key technological and operational advancements:

The E-7 Wedgetail's MESA radar, developed by Northrop Grumman, is a major improvement over the E-3 Sentry's rotating radar. The MESA radar uses electronic scanning technology, allowing it to track targets simultaneously over 360 degrees without moving parts, improving reliability and reducing maintenance. It also offers superior detection range and enhanced ability to track high-speed targets, providing more comprehensive and accurate situational awareness.

Unlike older radar systems, operators can redirect the power from "unused" sensors (such as those oriented towards friendly lines) to enhance the energy supply to other sensors. This increases their range and identification capabilities.

The E-7 features modernized communication systems that enhance interoperability with other military forces, including ground, naval, and air units. These systems enable secure, interference-resistant data links, ensuring that critical information is reliably transmitted even in contested environments. In contrast, the E-3 Sentry's older communication systems are less robust against modern cyber threats.

The E-7 is based on the Boeing 737-700 platform, offering better fuel efficiency and a longer range compared to the E-3 Sentry, which is based on the Boeing 707 platform. This allows the E-7 to cover larger areas without frequent refueling, increasing mission endurance and operational flexibility.

With ten mission consoles, the E-7 allows the crew to process and analyze data in real time, optimizing battlespace management. These consoles are connected by a high-speed internal network, facilitating the handling of complex information and operation coordination. In contrast, the E-3 Sentry has older, less integrated mission systems with lower real-time processing capabilities.

The E-7 benefits from integrated logistical support and advanced maintenance infrastructure, including software and hardware updates facilitated by ground support systems. This optimizes the aircraft's operational availability. The older E-3 Sentry requires more maintenance and its systems are less easily updated.