Past financial woes won't affect US Air Force E-7A programme, Boeing says
Based on UK Wedgetail programme costs the additional 24 E-7s for the USAF could be worth around $9 billion. (Photo: US DoD)
Boeing said its recent financial issues on other defence programmes will not affect the USAF's E-7A programme and the first aircraft is expected to be operational by 2027.
The USAF has awarded Boeing a contract to begin work on the E-7A future airborne battle management aircraft to replace the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).
The initial contract will not exceed $1.2 billion. A Boeing spokesperson told Shephard that this only covers the development of two E-7A airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
The USAF said that the first E-7A is expected to be ready for operational duty by 2027 and intends to buy 24 more aircraft by 2032, bringing the anticipated total inventory to 26.
An initial $134 million of FY2022/23 R&D monies was allocated against the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
-
![DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions]()
DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions
The partnership will integrate Helsing’s AI-powered systems with the Systematic SitaWare suite of C4ISR currently used by more than 50 nations, enabling faster data exchange between ISR UAVs and Helsing’s HX-2 loitering munitions.
-
![Finland secures possible $1.07 billion AMRAAM deal with US State Department]()
Finland secures possible $1.07 billion AMRAAM deal with US State Department
The Nordic country is set to bolster its defence capabilities after its foreign military sales request for AIM-120D-3 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) was approved.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine]()
DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine
The programme will work to build and deploy the drones to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia, coming a day after Poland shot down 19 Russian drones in its airspace.
-
![DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue]()
DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue
The addition of Red Cat’s Black Widow to NATO’s NSPA catalogue opens the doors for allied forces to more easily procure the AI-enabled drone.
