Price agreement for two rapid prototype E-7A AEW&C aircraft
The U.S. Department of the Air Force has successfully negotiated a pricing agreement with Boeing for the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) weapon system rapid prototype program, paving the way for the delivery of two operational prototypes of the E-7A weapon system.
The unfixed contract measure has now been determined with a total contract value of $2,560,846,860.
“This agreement is a significant achievement for our Soldiers and paves the way for the Air Force’s ability to deliver advanced airborne target detection systems for years to come,” said Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, in a US Air Force (USAF) press release. “It also exemplifies our ability to leverage and support the expertise and investments of our partners and allies to support our shared security objectives.”
Global Operators
The rapid prototyping program integrates U.S.-based mission systems into existing E-7 airborne platforms to meet DAF requirements while ensuring interoperability with coalition partners already operating the E-7.
“Operators worldwide are proving the E-7 AEW&C is a critical node for air superiority in the modern battlespace,” Boeing vice president and E-7 program manager Stu Voboril said in a company press release. “In our partnership with the U.S. Air Force, we are focused on stable, predictable execution to deliver critical mission-ready capabilities today. This will put us on a path for long-term growth of the aircraft and the mission.”
The combat-proven E-7A Wedgetail provides forces with targeted tracking and engagement capabilities to achieve the “first to detect, first to engage” advantage. The E-7 AEW&C platform is currently in service with the Royal Australian Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force (E-737 Peace Eye) and Turkish Air Force (E-7T Peace Eagle).
“Our customers have a pressing need for integrated battlespace surveillance and battle management,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers Division. “The E-7A is the linchpin for continuous airspace surveillance, battlespace command and control, and integrating data from all domains, providing a critical advantage against threats. With our open systems architecture approach, capabilities can be added rapidly over time as threats evolve.”
The wedge tail
Based on the Boeing 737-700 NG airframe, the E-7 AEW&C aircraft offers lower operating and maintenance costs, increased mission readiness and unmatched interoperability within a growing global user community.
The E-7A offers advanced air combat management, command and control, and moving target display capabilities. Its advanced multi-role electronic beam scanning radar improves air combat management, provides better situational awareness, and enables long-range kill chains with potential peer opponents.
Until the E-7A enters service, the DAF will continue to rely on the E-3 AWACS as ongoing E-3 modernization efforts align with the goals of the 2022 National Defense Strategy. The E-3 will continue its worldwide BMC2/AMTI operations as required by the DAF and Department of Defense.
The E-7A rapid prototyping program will influence a planned production decision in FY26. Delivery of the two operational prototypes is planned for FY28.
In addition to the E-7A AEW&C aircraft currently being built for the US Air Force, Boeing is currently producing three E-7As for the Royal Air Force, with military modifications being carried out in the UK. In addition, NATO has selected the E-7A as its preferred AEW&C solution.
Together, the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and US Air Force have a trilateral Wedgetail cooperation agreement covering the development, evaluation and testing of E-7 aircraft capabilities, interoperability, maintenance, operations, training and safety.
Photo credit: Boeing
