New E-3 and T-38 awards expose US Air Force legacy fleet dependence
Three T-38 Talons fly in formation over California airspace. (Photo: US Air Force)
Contracts for E-3 aircrew training through August 2029 and supplies for the T-38 engine until December 2028 reflect issues with replacement and retirement plans across the USAF inventory.
Delays in the replacement of the E-3 Sentry AEW&C aircraft and T-38 Talon Trainer have been leading the US Air Force (USAF) towards increasing dependence on those ageing platforms. Recent awards ensure that the platforms, which are more than five decades old, will remain in operation for at least two more years.
The branch recently announced a nearly US$30 million contract with Kwaan Tech for E-3 aircrew instruction and courseware development services through August 2029.
According to the agreement’s papers, it covers “technical and programme management requirements for the full spectrum of Air Force directed E-3 training”.
Meanwhile, the Department of
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms]()
US military tests AI-powered CUAS turret against drone swarms
As the US continues to invest heavily in counter-drone systems, demand for low-cost, mobile and autonomous technologies is on the rise, with Edda designed to align with these emerging requirements.
-
![USMC advances MV-22B Osprey safety and reliability upgrades]()
USMC advances MV-22B Osprey safety and reliability upgrades
The US Marine Corps is testing a redesigned input quill assembly and plans to transition its MV-22B fleet to improved gearboxes by January 2033 as it prepares to operate the tiltrotor through 2055.
-
![Swedish Air Force faces up to the challenge of new aircraft and an uncrewed horizon]()
Swedish Air Force faces up to the challenge of new aircraft and an uncrewed horizon
Sweden is an outlier as a smaller nation with its own indigenous fighter aircraft and airborne early warning platform and is now looking at how local company Saab Aerospace can meet the plans for a collaborative combat aircraft.
-
![Ageing RQ-11 Raven fleets create a global replacement opportunity]()
Ageing RQ-11 Raven fleets create a global replacement opportunity
The RQ-11 Raven is being retired from service across most of its more than 30 operators. Defence Insight estimates that these Raven retirements open up a replacement market worth at least $576 million, but suppliers will have to act quickly and strike a balance between cost and capability to succeed.
