Boeing Wedgetail AEW.1

The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail is a next-generation Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform which is based on the Boeing 737 airliner fitted with a radar array above the fuselage. Originally intended to replace the E-3 Sentry in service around the globe, the E-7 provides a wider range of capabilities including electronic surveillance and being able to simultaneously track targets in the air vessels on the sea. The E-7 is currently operated by Australia, the Republic of Korea and Turkey.

The RAF have selected the E-7 Wedgetail as its next AEW&C platform as a replacement for the retired E-3D Sentry fleet. Three Boeing 737 airframes are currently being converted and test flown at Birmingham Airport and will eventually be based at RAF Lossiemouth when they enter service. The recent defence review has also recommended the acquisition of further aircraft which, in RAF service, will be known as the Wedgetail AEW1.

Making its international public debut, the RAF’s newest type, the Wedgetail AEW1 will be appearing in the flying display on Friday at RIAT25. The aircraft will be provided jointly by Boeing and Defence Equipment & Support - the organisation responsible for delivering world-class equipment to the British military on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

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