US Air Force considers buying the E-7 Wedgetail

[plmc135]

There are, I believe, only two more brand new 747-800's to be built and then the line closes. So any E-4 and E-6 replacement with that type would have to revolve around second hand aircraft.

If they want 4 engines there are plenty of A380's around doing nothing

[Malcolm]

I didn't even think of that, I just had my "civil ETOPS 2 engines are fine " cap on...

747 would be a more logical choice for some platforms

Yes, ETOPS for civil is fine, divert and land ASAP if one engine goes pop. However, things like VC-25, E-4 and E-8 are supposed to be capable of controlling (god forbid) a nuclear war, and I'm fairly sure they'll have to carry on with that mission in the event of one engine out. I doubt that'll be possible in a twin.

Modern civil 4 engine means B747, A340 or A380, all of which are at or near end of production, so IMV USAF/USN need to pull their fingers out to make a type decision, and then select some airframes for either new build, or put some second hand ones into DM so they're available when needed.

[Ghost from above]

USAF has selected the E-7 to partially replace the E-3. Funding will be provided by reducing the E-3 fleet by 15.Contract will be in FY23.

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display ... apability/