E-7 Wedgetail

E-7 Wedgetail
Name	E-7 Wedgetail
Caption	An RAAF E-7A in flight.
Type	Airborne early warning and control
National origin	United States / Australia
Manufacturer	Boeing
First flight	2004
Introduction	2009
Primary users	Royal Australian Air Force
Number built	14+ (as of 2024)
Developed from	Boeing 737-700

E-7 Wedgetail. The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail is a specialized Airborne early warning and control aircraft, developed from the commercial 737-700 airframe. It is distinguished by its top-mounted Northrop Grumman Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar, providing a powerful battle management, command and control, and surveillance capability. The platform has been adopted by several nations and is positioned as the successor to aging fleets like the E-3 Sentry within NATO and key allied air forces.

Development and design

The Wedgetail program originated from Project Wedgetail, a Royal Australian Air Force requirement to replace its aging Lockheed Martin P-3 ELINT aircraft. Boeing was selected as the prime contractor, proposing a modified 737-700 airframe designated the 737 AEW&C. The key sensor is the Northrop Grumman Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar, mounted on a dorsal "top hat" fixture, which provides 360-degree coverage without mechanical rotation. Mission system integration was led by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, with significant software development conducted in Australia. The design faced early developmental challenges with its radar and mission system, but these were resolved through rigorous testing, including at RAAF Base Williamtown and Woomera Test Range.

Operational history

The Royal Australian Air Force accepted its first E-7A in 2009, achieving Initial operational capability in 2012. Its first major operational deployment was supporting Operation Okra, the Australian contribution to the coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The aircraft provided critical battle management for RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets and coalition aircraft. The United Kingdom subsequently leased an RAAF E-7A in 2022 to bolster NATO surveillance following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Turkish Air Force has employed its E-7Ts in operations over Syria and for monitoring the Black Sea. The Republic of Korea Air Force utilizes its E-7s to monitor North Korea.

Operators

* Australia: The Royal Australian Air Force operates six E-7A aircraft from No. 2 Squadron based at RAAF Base Williamtown. * Turkey: The Turkish Air Force operates four E-7T aircraft, with deliveries completed in 2015. * South Korea: The Republic of Korea Air Force operates four E-7 aircraft, known as the Peace Eye. * United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force has ordered three E-7 AEW.1 aircraft to replace its E-3D Sentry fleet, with initial deliveries expected in the mid-2020s. * United States: The United States Air Force selected the E-7 in 2022 to replace its E-3G AWACS fleet, with plans for up to 26 aircraft.

Specifications (E-7A)

General characteristics * Crew: Flight crew of 2 plus 6-10 mission specialists * Length: 33.6 m (110 ft 4 in) * Wingspan: 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in) * Height: 12.5 m (41 ft) * Powerplant: 2 × CFM56-7B27A turbofans * Radar: Northrop Grumman Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA)

Performance * Endurance: Over 9 hours on station (unrefueled) * Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,500 m)

Avionics * Advanced mission system with Link 16 and Multi-Function Information Distribution System (MIDS) for data fusion and network-centric warfare.

See also

* Boeing E-3 Sentry * Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye * Saab GlobalEye * Airborne early warning and control * Boeing 737 AEW&C

Category:Military aircraft