Boeing, US Air Force Definitize Contract for Two Aircraft

Boeing has been awarded a $2.56 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force for two rapid prototype E-7A AEW&C Wedgetail aircraft. The contract includes lifecycle development, training and support for the Air Force’s E-7A fleet. The combat-proven E-7A Wedgetail provides targeted tracking and battle management command-and-control capabilities to joint forces for “first to detect, first to engage” advantage. The E-7 AEW&C platform is currently in service with the Royal Australian Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force (designated E-737 Peace Eye) and Turkish Air Force (designated E-7T Peace Eagle).

Statement

“Global operators are proving that the E-7 AEW&C is a critical node for air superiority in the modern battlespace,” said Boeing vice president and E-7 program manager, Stu Voboril. “In our partnership with the U.S. Air Force, we’re focused on stable, predictable execution to deliver crucial mission-ready capabilities today. This will put us on the path for the long-term growth of the aircraft and mission.”

“Our customers have an urgent need for integrated battlespace awareness and battle management,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers division. “The E-7A is the airspace lynchpin to continuously scan the skies, command and control the battlespace, and integrate all-domain data providing a decisive advantage against threats. With our open systems architecture approach, capabilities can be rapidly inserted over time as threats evolve.”

Built on the Boeing 737-700 NG airframe, the E-7 AEW&C aircraft offers lower operating and sustainment costs, higher mission readiness rates and unmatched interoperability among a growing global user community. In addition to the rapid prototype E-7A AEW&C aircraft being built for the U.S. Air Force, Boeing is currently producing three E-7As for the Royal Air Force, with military modifications underway in the United Kingdom. Additionally, NATO has selected the E-7A as its preferred AEW&C solution. Together, the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and U.S. Air Force have a Wedgetail tri-lateral cooperation agreement relating to E-7 aircraft capability development, evaluation and testing, interoperability, sustainment, operations, training and safety.