The U.S. Air Force is enlisting the services of aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company to replace a portion of the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System fleet with the E-7 Wedgetail.
The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail represents the only platform capable of meeting Defense Department tactical battle management requirements for command and control and moving target indication capabilities within the E-3 replacement timeframe.
The aging E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that can detect, identify and track airborne enemy forces far from the boundaries of the United States or NATO countries.
The E-7 Wedgetail system was developed by Australia for the Australian Defence Forces. An alliance between the U.S. and Australia enabled the Department of the Air Force to leverage the investment and capability.
A contract award is slated in fiscal year 2023.
The FY23 President’s Budget calls for a partial divestment of the E-3 AWACS fleet of 15 of 31 aircraft, officials said, while redirecting funding to procure and field replacement.