Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail was expected to take over from the E-3 AWACS as it departed, but this hasn’t happened. Delays and cost overruns have meant the aircraft has not yet reached its full potential. However, a recent order by the USAF might be just what it needs, says Jon Lake
It is unusual for an aircraft to be designed and built for export without a domestic customer, but this has been the case for the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail – also known as the Boeing 737 AEW&C. It was not until 2022 that the US Air Force committed to purchasing the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail – designed more than 20 years before to meet a 1996 Australian RFP and delivered to four customer nations in the intervening period.
The anticipated USAF order for 26 E-7s will take the global fleet to 43 aircraft, more than doubling the total. At the same time, the USAF’ seal of approval’ could also unlock further orders – including the remaining E-3 operators (NATO, France, and Saudi Arabia).
The E-7 designation and Wedgetail name are not used by all operators, with Turkey using the Peace Eagle export programme name (and the designation E-7T) and South Korea using the Peace Eye name (and sometimes the E-737 designation). At the same time, the UK’s will be the Wedgetail AE…
