The United States Air Force decided to acquire the E-7 AEW&C aircraft. The service signed a contract with Boeing.

What is known

The E-7 is a radio detection and guidance aircraft built on the basis of the Boeing 737-700 as part of the Project Wedgetail program. It was originally designed for the Royal Australian Air Force. Over time, Wedgetail aircraft appeared in Turkey, South Korea and the UK.

The E-7 AEW&C is equipped with a satellite communications station, an air-to-air and surface-to-air missile defense system, and a MESA multifunctional radar station. It has an active phased array antenna and was developed by Northrop Grumman.

The aircraft has a length of 33.6 meters and a wingspan of 35.8 meters. The maximum takeoff weight is 77.6 tons. The power plant is represented by two CFM International CFM56-7B27A engines. The cruising speed of the aircraft is 850 km / h, the practical range is 4900 km, and the practical ceiling is 12.5 km.

The USAF has ordered two E-7 AEW&Cs but plans to have a fleet of 26 aircraft. They will replace the E-3 Sentry. The service wants to receive the first aircraft in fiscal year 2027. The contract value was $1.2 billion.

Source: Defense Brief