Boeing 737NG-based E-7 Wedgetail fixed radar aircraft getting ready for UK
Three Boeing 737 Next Generation (737NG) aircrafts are undergoing modification in Birmingham for the ‘E-7’ airborne early warning and control system incorporation meant for deployment by Royal Air Force (RAF).
Boeing recently completed the first test flight of the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft being developed for the Royal Air Force (RAF) to replace its aging Boeing E-3 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircrafts.
This is the first of its kind order from the British air force, featuring a radar antenna for airborne early warning and control surveillance system atop the fuselage of a regular, third-generation 737 aircraft.
The latest E-7 aircrafts feature fixed and active electronically-scanned array radar antenna, in place of the rotating radar system found in the previous Boeing 707-based E-3 Sentry aircrafts.
Designed for multi-domain awareness and command-and-control decision advantage for warfighters, the E-7 detects and identifies adversarial targets at long range. The aircraft also tracks multiple airborne and maritime threats simultaneously with 360-degree coverage with the help of Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor.
Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail is currently operated by the air forces of Australia, South Korea and Turkey. The company is building two rapid prototype E-7 aircraft for U.S. Air Force (USAF), while NATO has also announced the selection of the E-7 for its AEW&C mission.
ALSO READ: Boeing 777 and 787-10 ecoDemonstrator aircrafts to test 19 technologies this year
To enhance the inter-operability of the surveillance aircraft, RAF has signed a tri-lateral agreement with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and USAF, while growing global fleet of E-7 is expected to enhance its mission readiness and lifecycle cost reduction as well.
The E-7 Wedgetail is emerging as a vital asset for modern air forces, for ensuring critical advantage in maintaining situational awareness, coordinating operations, and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of military missions.
