UK airborne early warning programme approaches milestone
STS Aviation Services is converting three ex-commercial B-737s to the E-7A Wedgetail Mk1 configuration for the RAF. (Photo: Boeing UK)
Military Aviation Authority clears STS and Boeing to begin Wedgetail conversion.
STS Aviation Services is about to begin conversion work in Birmingham on the first new E-7A Wedgetail Mk1 AEW&C aircraft for the RAF, Boeing UK announced via social media on 6 April.
The statement came after the Military Aviation Authority in the UK MoD gave the green light for STS and Boeing to modify three B-737 commercial aircraft.
Wedgetail is expected to enter service with the RAF in 2023, two years after the E-3D Sentry retires from service.
As noted by Shephard Defence Insight, the UK ordered five aircraft for $1.98 million in March 2019 with a predicted out-of-service date of 2045.
However, the MoD cut this requirement in its 22 March Command Paper, which mentioned a ‘more modern and more capable fleet of three E-7A Wedgetail [aircraft] in 2023’.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
E-7 Wedgetail (Second Order) [U.K.]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
