U.S. Air Force Selects Boeing for New Battle Management Aircraft

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The United States Air Force announced that it selected Boeing to develop a prototype of the E-7A Wedgetail in a contract with a guaranteed maximum price of $1.2 billion. Boeing’s E-7A is a derivative of the Next-Generation 737 and is in operation with Australia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Korea. 

According to the Air Force, the E-7A Wedgetail would provide airborne moving target indication as well as battle management, command, and control capabilities. The aircraft would also feature multi-role electronically scanned array radar for battle management and long-range kill chains. The E-7’s full 360-degree sensors provide scan and instantaneous target revisit rates to detect, track, and identify adversary targets at range. A single interface between the operator and multiple subsystems offers real-time analytics for targeting and processing data throughout threat engagement.

Technical specifications include an IFF range of 300 nautical miles, a range of 3,500 nautical miles, and a maximum ceiling of 41,000 feet. The aircraft also features air-to-air refueling capability and programmable chaff and flares that operate as defensive countermeasures. 

The Air Force said it anticipates having 26 E-7As by 2032 and expects production of a version specific to the branch to start in 2025. It is scheduled for duty by 2027. Meanwhile, the Air Force plans to keep its E-3 airborne warning and control system aircraft, which have seen mission-capable rates decrease to less than 60%. 

Air Force acquisition executive Andrew Hunter said the contract marks a critical step for battlespace cognition and control capabilities to the United States’ allies, partners, and warfighters.

Image Credit: Boeing