US Air Force evaluates possible purchase of Boeing E-7A Wedgetails to Replace E-3B Sentry

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Image: RAAF

Boeing E-7A Wedgetail: The Boeing 737 AEW&C is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation design. It is lighter than the 707-based Boeing E-3 Sentry and has a fixed, active electronically scanned array radar antenna instead of a rotating one. It was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under “Project Wedgetail” and designated E-7A Wedgetail.

The US Air Force has kicked off a study looking at buying Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft.

In September, General Charles Brown, chief of staff of the USAF, said the service was considering the Wedgetail and was discussing it with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Canberra was the type’s launch customer and operates six of the jets, which are based on Boeing’s 737-700 increased-gross-weight airliner.

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Rendition of a proposed USAF E-7 Wedgetail. For a hi-res image click on image or click here. Image: author

A new sole-source contract to Boeing, called the “E-3 Replacement Aircraft Studies & Analyses”, shows the USAF is serious about acquiring the AEW&C aircraft and is looking to move quickly. Boeing is being paid to examine changes needed for E-7As to meet the USAF’s configuration standards and mandates, the service said in a contract award notice posted on 18 October. Continue reading at Flightglobal.com.


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