Washington: The United States Air Force has finalized an “affordable” agreement with Boeing for the supply of E-7 Wedgetail airborne warning and control aircraft, senior officials announced on Saturday.
This deal involves the production of prototypes tailored to U.S. requirements as the Air Force transitions from the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. The agreement addresses previous concerns over the cost of the 737-based Wedgetail planes.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall confirmed the deal, stating, “We have reached agreement with Boeing… We have got a reasonable price point that we can afford.” A formal contract is expected to be finalized in August, he added.
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The U.S. Air Force is replacing its aging E-3s, which have been in service since the Cold War. These aircraft feature a distinctive rotating radar dome that enables crew to track targets and direct aircraft during combat.
The transition to the E-7 has faced delays due to price negotiations, prompting concerns in Congress about potential gaps in capability.
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Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Andrew Hunter remarked, “We are very glad to have an affordable basis for the rapid prototyping program, which is the basis for the production programme going forward.”
Boeing welcomed the agreement, viewing it as a positive development for its defense sector following recent challenges with cost overruns and delays on other fixed-price contracts. A Boeing spokesperson emphasized, “We are focused on executing well and meeting the needs of our customer.”
