Boeing completes first flight of E-7 Wedgetail for RAF
Courtesy Boeing / MoD Crown Copyright
A Boeing flight-test crew conducted functional checks during the first flight from Birmingham Airport, marking a significant milestone in the programme’s test and evaluation phase.
Currently unpainted, the aircraft is one of three 737 NG aircraft on British soil undergoing modification by a highly skilled team of over 100 people at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham.
Wedgetail, which will operate from RAF Lossiemouth, is the most technologically advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system available and will provide UK Defence with eyes in the sky for at least the next 20 years.
Courtesy Boeing / MoD Crown Copyright
Capable of generating a 360-degree view of the airspace and as a force multiplier, it will provide advanced warning of approaching threats and enable commanders to fight effectively in complex environments.
The E-7 Wedgetail modification programme has created more than 100 highly skilled jobs in the Birmingham area. Overall, the programme is expected to create some 700 jobs across the UK, with more than 300 of these already established.
Richard Murray, Director Air Support at DE&S, said: “This first flight marks a significant milestone for the programme and for our team, who have worked tirelessly with our partners to progress what is a hugely complex endeavour. We are moving forward and will be delivering this critical capability to the RAF.”
DE&S E-7 Chief Engineer, Minna MacKenzie, said: “I am incredibly proud of team Wedgetail. The safe completion of this first flight is the result of a truly collaborative effort between MoD, Boeing and STS and moves us significantly closer to delivering this critical AEW capability to the RAF. We look forward to leading the next phase of this exciting programme.”
Above: The first E-7 Wedgetail takes off at Birmingham Airport.
Courtesy Boeing / MoD Crown Copyright
The aircraft will now fly to another location to be painted in RAF livery before returning to Birmingham to complete installation of the mission system.
Due to enter service with the first aircraft delivered next year, the three-aircraft fleet will operate from RAF Lossiemouth where a new engineering line building, accommodation and squadron facilities have been or are being constructed in readiness for their arrival.
Capable of fulfilling a wide range of missions, Wedgetail will provide high fidelity and accurate target information using its cutting-edge Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array sensor housed in a distinctive fin on the spine of the aircraft.
The sensor, combined with an advanced communications suite, enables the crew to provide tactical control to other assets via voice and tactical data links, while enhancing the situational awareness of Joint Force commanders.
Group Captain Richard Osselton, RAF Programme Director for Wedgetail, said: “Achieving the first flight of Wedgetail is a significant milestone, representing an outstanding effort from the RAF programme team, DE&S, Boeing and STS Aviation Services. We will now build on this success and look forward to continuing the Test & Evaluation phase as part of our preparations for the aircraft to enter service with the RAF.”
Stu Voboril, Boeing vice president and E-7 programme manager, said: “This safe and systematic Functional Check Flight is an important step for Boeing and the RAF as part of our rigorous and extensive testing and evaluation. Our team is committed to ensuring the E-7 delivers the safety, quality, and capabilities we’ve promised to our customer as we prepare for delivery of the UK’s first E-7 Wedgetail to the RAF in 2025.”
The future UK E-7 fleet will operate from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, where Boeing’s local suppliers and contractors are nearing completion of the infrastructure facilities to support its introduction into service.
Maria Laine, president of Boeing UK, Ireland and the Nordics, said: “We’re proud of the robust E-7 modification line we’ve stood up in the UK to deliver the RAF’s future Airborne Early Warning & Control fleet.
“We are committed to delivering this crucial capability to support the UK’s national security and contribute toward regional stability.”
The RAF participates in a tri-lateral agreement with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and US Air Force (USAF) toward cooperative Wedgetail interoperability, capability development, evaluation and testing, sustainment, operations, training and safety.
The RAAF, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force currently operate the E-7. Boeing is also building two rapid prototype E-7 aircraft for USAF and in 2023, NATO announced the selection of the E-7 for its AEW&C mission. The growing global E-7 fleet provides mission systems interoperability, mission readiness and lifecycle cost advantages, as well as a common technical growth path to stay ahead of global threats.
Later this autumn, following a series of flight tests and further evaluation, the aircraft will depart to a paint facility to receive its RAF livery.
