Boeing begins production of the first E-7A Wedgetail for the United States
With a contract valued at $2.5 billion, the two prototypes of the Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft will be delivered in 2028.
Boeing began production of the first prototype of the E-7A Wedgetail, the new airborne early warning and control aircraft for the United States Air Force (USAF). The structure, based on the 737-700 model and manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems, arrived on January 22 at the assembly facilities in Renton, Washington. This will be the first of two rapid prototypes ordered by the USAF.
According to reports from our associated media Aeroin, the structure was observed entering the plant in its characteristic green color through a Boeing social media post, accompanied by the message: “The global fleet is growing.”
The first prototype will be completed in 2025, initially configured as an executive jet. It will then be transferred to Boeing's defense division, where it will be modified with advanced systems and full military capabilities.
Among the modifications is the integration of a Northrop Grumman active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, installed on the top of the fuselage, and advanced mission management systems that will provide superior airborne warning capabilities.
Replacing the E-3 Sentry
The decision to replace the E-3 Sentry fleet, based on the Boeing 707, was made in 2022 due to the model's technological obsolescence and maintenance challenges, with an average age exceeding 45 years. The contract for the Wedgetail prototypes, valued at $2.5 billion, was signed in 2024. Serial production of the E-7A is expected to be evaluated in fiscal year 2026, with deliveries of the two prototypes planned for 2028.
The E-7A Wedgetail promises capabilities superior to its predecessors, including the ability to detect and track airborne moving targets with greater precision. Additionally, its onboard battle management systems will be designed to integrate with future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) currently under development by the Pentagon.
One of these CCAs is the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, developed by Boeing for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which already operates six units of the Wedgetail.
AUTOR
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