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Boeing E-7 Wedgetail

Boeing · Airborne Early Warning (AEW&C) · Australia · Modern (1992–2009)

Boeing E-7 Wedgetail — Airborne Early Warning (AEW&C)
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The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the Boeing 737-700 commercial airliner, distinguished externally by its top-mounted Northrop Grumman MESA (Multirole Electronically Scanned Array) AESA radar in a fixed dorsal fairing rather than the rotating rotodome of the older E-3 Sentry. Originally developed for the Royal Australian Air Force as Project Wedgetail, the E-7 has been selected by the Royal Air Force, the Republic of Korea Air Force, the Turkish Air Force, NATO, and — critically — the U.S. Air Force as the E-3 replacement.

The Wedgetail's MESA radar is a phased-array AESA design rather than a rotating mechanically-scanned dish: the antenna is fixed but the beam is electronically steered, allowing simultaneous track of fighter-sized targets out to 230 nm and large targets to 360+ nm, with track update rates of 1-2 seconds vs the E-3's 10 seconds (full rotodome rotation). The faster update rate is a meaningful combat advantage: it allows the Wedgetail to maintain track on manoeuvring fighters at higher engagement densities than the E-3 can.

The first RAAF E-7A entered Australian service on 5 May 2009. The aircraft has now been ordered or operated by Australia (6 aircraft), the United Kingdom (3 to start, replacing 7 E-3D), Turkey (4), South Korea (4), NATO (5 to replace E-3A starting 2031), and the United States (26 in the FY2025 USAF programme of record, replacing some E-3B / E-3C airframes). Total worldwide orders / deliveries: ~50+ airframes through 2026, with major production ongoing at Boeing's Renton 737 line.

The E-7's combination of mature 737 airframe (50,000+ commercial 737s have been built across the 737 family), modular MESA radar (already in production), and reasonable acquisition cost (~$430M USD per aircraft for the U.S. variant) has made it the dominant AEW&C choice for Western and Western-aligned air forces. Sweden, Germany, France, and Spain have all evaluated the E-7 against the Saab GlobalEye (Bombardier Global 6000-derived) and the Airbus A330-derived alternatives. The Wedgetail will be the principal AEW&C platform for U.S. and NATO operations through the 2040s, with eventual successor concepts likely involving distributed sensor networks rather than monolithic AEW aircraft.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail is a modern flying radar plane. It is based on the Boeing 737 airliner with a big radar fin sticking up on top, shaped like a long board on its edge. From the air, this radar can spot enemy planes, ships, and even small drones hundreds of miles away.

The Wedgetail was first built for Australia and entered service in 2009. The radar is called MESA, made by Northrop Grumman, and uses electronic beams instead of a spinning dish like the older E-3 Sentry. That makes the Wedgetail faster, lighter, and more capable than the E-3.

Two big jet engines push the Wedgetail to 530 mph. Up to 10 crew members sit at computer screens inside the plane, watching the radar and talking to fighter pilots by radio. The Wedgetail can stay airborne for over 10 hours at a time.

Australia bought 6 Wedgetails, South Korea bought 4, Turkey bought 4, and the U.S. and UK have ordered them to replace older E-3 Sentries. Each Wedgetail costs about $400 million. The plane is named after Australia's biggest eagle, the Wedge-tailed eagle.

Fun Facts

  • The 'wedgetail' name comes from Australia's largest eagle, the Wedge-tailed eagle.
  • The radar fin on top is 35 feet long, longer than a school bus.
  • It can spot enemy aircraft 250 miles away, the distance from New York to Boston.
  • The MESA radar has no moving parts; it uses electronic beams to scan the sky.
  • Up to 10 crew members work at computer screens during long radar missions.
  • The U.S. Air Force is buying Wedgetails to replace the older E-3 Sentry.
  • Each Wedgetail costs about $400 million, more than a 737 airliner.

Kids’ Questions

How is the radar different from older planes?

Older flying radars like the E-3 Sentry have a big disk on top that spins around. The Wedgetail's radar fin does not move at all. Instead, it uses thousands of tiny antennas inside that send out radar beams in any direction electronically. It is much faster, more reliable, and can watch many directions at once.

Why is the radar shaped like a board on top?

The MESA radar antenna is built into a long flat panel. Mounting it on top of the plane lets the radar see in every direction around the aircraft. The shape looks strange but works very well, and it lets Boeing use a regular 737 underneath without major changes.

Who else is buying it?

Australia (6 jets), South Korea (4), Turkey (4) are the current users. The U.S. Air Force ordered 26, the UK ordered 5 (later reduced to 3), and NATO is buying a fleet. The Wedgetail is becoming the standard Western radar plane in the 2020s and 2030s.

Variants

E-7A Wedgetail (RAAF)
Original Royal Australian Air Force variant — 6 in service, based at RAAF Williamtown. Entered service 2009; first AEW&C platform to receive Link 16 over secure satellite communications.
E-7 Wedgetail (RAF)
Royal Air Force variant — originally 5 ordered, reduced to 3 due to budget cuts. Replaces 7 E-3D Sentry. First RAF aircraft delivered 2024; based at RAF Lossiemouth.
E-7 (USAF)
USAF Wedgetail — 26 ordered in the FY2025 budget for AMC / ACC. Programme of record will eventually grow to ~26-30 aircraft, replacing approximately half the E-3B / E-3C fleet.
NATO E-7
5 E-7 acquired by NATO under the AFSC (Alliance Future Surveillance Control) programme to replace 18 E-3A. First NATO E-7 delivery scheduled 2031; based at Geilenkirchen Air Base initially.
Other operators (Korea, Turkey)
Republic of Korea Air Force operates 4 E-7 (Peace Eye programme, delivered 2011-2012). Turkish Air Force operates 4 E-7 (Peace Eagle, delivered 2014-2015) — currently grounded due to a software-update dispute.

Notable Operators

Royal Australian Air Force
Launch operator with 6 E-7A airframes since 2009. The aircraft has been used in Operation Okra (counter-ISIS in Iraq / Syria) and ongoing Australia / Pacific maritime patrol missions. RAAF was the first force to demonstrate sustained E-7 operations in coalition warfare.
United States Air Force
Largest future operator with 26 ordered through FY2025 budget. Replaces approximately half the E-3B / E-3C fleet (~17 USAF E-3 airframes). First USAF E-7 delivery was in 2024.
Royal Air Force
3 E-7 airframes (originally 5, reduced to 3 due to 2021-2024 budget cuts). Replaces the retired RAF E-3D Sentry AEW.1 fleet. Based at RAF Lossiemouth alongside RAF Typhoon FGR.4 squadrons.
NATO / Korea / Turkey
NATO: 5 ordered to replace 18 E-3A (first delivery 2031). Korea: 4 in service. Turkey: 4 in service (with active status complicated by F-35 dispute fallout).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the E-7 and the E-3?

Three principal differences. First, airframe: the E-3 is based on the older 707, the E-7 on the modern 737-700. Second, radar: the E-3 has a rotating rotodome with an AN/APY mechanically-scanned dish; the E-7 has a fixed dorsal fairing with a Northrop Grumman MESA AESA. Third, crew size: the E-3 needs 13-19 mission crew, the E-7 needs 6-10 — reflecting more automated mission systems and faster radar update rates that reduce operator workload.

Why is the E-7 replacing the E-3?

Multiple drivers. The MESA AESA radar offers much better track quality (1-2 second updates vs E-3's 10 seconds) and improved performance against low-RCS targets. The 737 airframe is younger, easier to support, and has greater commonality with the existing global 737 fleet. The E-7 is faster to refuel via boom (KC-46 / KC-135 compatible) and has lower per-hour operating costs. The E-3 fleet is reaching end of structural life (60+ years on the airframe) and is increasingly expensive to maintain.

How fast is the E-7's radar update?

1-2 seconds per scan, vs the E-3's 10-second rotodome cycle. The MESA AESA can also dwell on specific tracks for additional revisits at sub-second intervals if required, and can scan multiple 90-degree sectors simultaneously. This is a real combat advantage when tracking manoeuvring fighters or coordinating multiple strike packages.

What missions does the E-7 perform?

Air-domain awareness, fighter / interceptor control, strike-package coordination, maritime surveillance (the MESA radar has a sea-surface track mode), and command-and-control of friendly air operations. Has supported Operation Okra (RAAF, counter-ISIS), ongoing NATO eastern-flank reassurance missions (RAF), and Korean peninsula air-defence operations. The E-7 will assume the full E-3 mission set as it replaces the older fleet.

How much does the E-7 cost?

Approximately $430M USD per aircraft for the U.S. variant (FY2025 budget figures), including airframe, radar, mission systems, and integration. The RAF programme cost was higher per aircraft due to lower production quantity and additional electronic-warfare integration. Programme costs continue to fluctuate with currency, integration scope, and software baselines.

Is the E-7 in U.S. service?

Yes, but ramping up. The first USAF E-7 was delivered in 2024 for testing; full frontline service is expected by 2027-2028. The 26-aircraft programme of record will deliver through approximately 2032, replacing about half the existing E-3B / E-3C fleet. The remainder of the E-3 fleet will continue operations until the late 2030s.

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