Officials Reference Low Program Survivability, Budget Overruns

The US Air Force recently announced its decision to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail, referencing extensive delays, cost overruns, and questionable mission alignment. The only question that remains is, what aircraft will replace it?

The E-7 operates on the Boeing 737-700 NG commercial airframe. It features a Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) surveillance radar to detect long-range targets and threats. The MESA, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, conducts 360-degree electronic scans to provide crews with continuous surveillance of the mission area.

The Wedgetail has already made its way into service within the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force. Last August, the US Air Force also placed a $2.6 billion order for its first two “operationally representative prototype E-7A weapons systems” to replace its aging E-3 fleet. Boeing planned to deliver these aircraft by 2028.

However, the once impressive capabilities of the E-7 may soon become obsolete. This realization comes amid heightened federal talks of using space-based aircraft tracking capabilities under the Airborne Moving Target Indication (AMTI) mission. As a result, the E-7 program became less promising and eventually was cut from the FY 2026 budget. 

“The Department is canceling the E-7 Wedgetail program due to significant delays with cost increases from $588 million to $724 million for aircraft and survivability concerns in this contested environment, while investing in alternate solutions, including space-based capabilities and adding additional E-2D aircraft,” stated a military official.

Like the E-7, the E-2D is an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. It is a proven platform, with around a decade under its belt with the US Navy. However, the E-7’s range, endurance, speed, capacity, and radar capability far outpace the E-2D, signaling to many that the Air Force may be jumping the gun by cancelling its progress.

“We just haven’t heard, in my view, sufficient justification for the cancellation of such a critical program,” stated Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski.

FMI: www.af.mil