Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Orders First Two E-7 AEW Aircraft From Boeing
The Boeing 737 AEW&C/E-7A has been selected to replace the USAF’s long-serving E-3A Sentry in the airborne warning and control role.
E-7 U.S. Air Force
An impression shows an E-7 in U.S. Air Force colors, wearing the ‘OK’ tailcode of the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. (Photo: Boeing)

Boeing has been awarded a not-to-exceed $1.2 billion undefinitized contract for the U.S. Air Force’s E-7A rapid prototype program, which is managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. Under the deal announced this week, the company will develop and produce two E-7 development aircraft, paving the way for series production. The initial work associated with this contract is due to be complete by August 2024.

Faced with the need to replace at least part of its aging Boeing 707 airliner-based E-3B/C/G Sentry fleet, the U.S. Air Force identified the 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control, designated E-7A, as the only suitable solution, and a single-source acquisition plan was announced in April last year.

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