USAF evaluates potential E-7A upgrades
The contract for the E-7A, also known as the 737 AEW&C, was signed between the USAF and Boeing in August 2024. (Photo: Boeing)
The US Air Force (USAF) is considering a variety of sensor and electronic warfare suite upgrades on the E-7A aircraft a recent Request for Information (RFI) notice from the US Government has disclosed.
The USAF is set to replace its ageing Boeing E-3 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft with the company’s E-7A aircraft, reaching a deal in July 2024.
The deal, officially signed in August 2024, announced the acquisition of two E-7A aircraft for US$2.6 billion. Another 24 more aircraft are expected to be acquired by 2032, bringing its total number to 26.
Despite not yet having any E-7
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
-
UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation
Despite the UK having the third-largest military UAV market in Europe, the country appears to be underinvesting in the capability relative to the size of its economy, particularly when compared with Baltic and eastern European states.
-
Proteus: Forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft
As the home of British helicopters, Leonardo has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence for over a decade to advance technologies underpinning uncrewed rotorcraft. Today, in partnership with UK Defence Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is spearheading the next step in that journey: from remotely piloted technologies to fully autonomous systems.
-
“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare
In Conversation… Armor Harris, Senior Vice President for Aircraft at Shield AI, talks to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan about why cost-effective autonomous aircraft are a game-changer for air forces worldwide, and the key roles played by VTOL and AI as enabling technologies.
-
Additional delays might hit Pentagon’s critical air programmes, GAO warns
B-52 modernisation, Sentinel, MH-139A, T-7A and Air Force One replacement are among the US Air Force programmes the GAO says remain at risk of further schedule slips and cost growth due to acquisition and management challenges.
-
NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy
The joint acquisition of Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft by 11 allies marks the end of NATO’s more than four-decade reliance on a US-built airborne early warning platform.