Ron Epstein, senior aerospace analyst at Bank of America, weighs in on the current state of aerospace giant Boeing as the company names its new CEO.
Boeing and the Air Force announced Friday that they have reached an agreement on pricing for a $2.56 billion contract to develop two rapid prototypes. E-7A Wedge tail Airplane.
The E-7A Wedgetail is an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the Boeing 737but features advanced electronics and a fixed radar antenna mounted on top of the fuselage, giving the aircraft a distinctive look.
Wedgetail is the U.S. Air Force’s planned replacement for its aging fleet of E-3 Sentry AWACS (airborne warning and control systems). The aircraft is expected to continue to perform this role until it is retired with the introduction of the Wedgetail in the future.
“The E-7A provides advanced air combat management and command and control capabilities, as well as moving target display capabilities,” the Air Force said in a press release. “Its advanced multi-role electronic beam scanning radar will improve air combat management, provide better situational awareness and enable long-range kill chains with peer adversaries.”
WHICH NATO COUNTRIES MEET THE 2% DEFENSE SPENDING COMMITMENT?
The Air Force and Boeing announced a contract for the Air Force’s first E-7A Wedgetail, which is currently in service with U.S. allies Australia, South Korea and Turkey. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
“Our customers have an urgent need for integrated battlespace surveillance and battle management,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of the Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers Division of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
“The E-7A is the linchpin in the airspace to continuously scan the skycommand and control the battlefield and integrate data from all domains to gain a decisive advantage over threats. With our open systems architecture approach, capabilities can be added rapidly over time as threats evolve,” Gillian added.
AIR FORCE CONFIRMS FIRST SUCCESSFUL AI AIR BATTLE
A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail takes off during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022. (U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Josey Blades via DVIDS/Fox News)
“This agreement is a win for our Soldiers and paves the way for the Air Force to be able to deliver advanced aerial moving target detection systems for years to come,” said Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
Hunter added that the deal “also exemplifies our ability to leverage and support the expertise and investments of our partners and allies to support our shared security objectives.”
A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail flies in formation with a Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 Raptor and a Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35 Lightning II in Hawaiian airspace during Sentry Aloha 24-01 on January 30, 2024. (US Navy/MSgt. Mysti Bicoy, Hawaiian Air National Guard via DVIDS/Fox News)
NEW BOEING CEO FOCUSES ON RESTORING TRUST: “WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A LOT OF WORK AHEAD”
| ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA | THE BOEING CO. | 167.91 | -0.96 |
-0.57% |
The Wedgetail is currently operated by the air forces of US allies Australia, South Korea and Turkey, while the United Kingdom and NATO have also ordered the aircraft. air force plans to eventually have a fleet of 26 Wedgetails by 2032.
The Royal Australian Air ForceThe British Royal Air Force and the US Air Force concluded a trilateral cooperation agreement on the development, evaluation and testing, interoperability, sustainment, operation, training and safety of the Wedgetail program.
Two Air Force B-2 Spirits fly alongside four Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growlers and an E-7A Wedgetail off the east coast of Australia on August 4, 2022. (US Navy/Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Bishline via DVIDS/Fox News)
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Boeing’s contract also includes lifecycle development, training and support for the Air Force E-7A fleetThe two operational prototypes of the E-7A Wedgetail included in the contract are expected to be delivered in fiscal year 2028.
