New Wedgetail surveillance fleet to be based at RAF Lossiemouth

[ArabJazzie]

Note that all of the other Wedgetails (Oz, Turkish and Korean) were new built, so our conversions from second-hand BBJs are a first.

For clarity it is worth noting that AFAIK all the other Wedgetails in service are conversions of a base 737 airframe be it new or otherwise (normally done “in country”); there’s no brand new Wedgetail production line as such as there is for P-8.

So they are the same(standard Length) but different(modified)! Im confused(not really)!

[plmc135]

Think of it in the same context as an E-3 or E-6 and a Boeing 707. They are the same length, built on the same production line but very different aircraft.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Think of it in the same context as an E-3 or E-6 and a Boeing 707. They are the same length, built on the same production line but very different aircraft.

The difference being with the E-3s - as you allude to - being they were built as E-3s; they never were standard 707s. Same line, different aeroplane.

Order and E-3 (or P-8etc), Boeing build you and E-3.

Order an E-7, Boeing build you (or sell you) a 737/BBJ and then subcontract the conversion.

[Agent K]

[And the E-7 Wedgetail isn't a straight B737NG-700 airframe either! The Wedgetail uses the shorter fuselage of the 700, but the wings and strengthened undercarriage of of the -800, as do the BBJ and the C-40.

Note that all of the other Wedgetails (Oz, Turkish and Korean) were new built, so our conversions from second-hand BBJs are a first.

...and the first with winglets, unless that will be another modification to remove them and avoid them 'photo bombing' the radar image .
Freeman

I'd doubt very much (like not at all) that a separate sub-type would be created for negligible benefit but with a whole load of testing and certification work and expense and documentation and operations manuals etc etc etc.

[plmc135]

Think of it in the same context as an E-3 or E-6 and a Boeing 707. They are the same length, built on the same production line but very different aircraft.

The difference being with the E-3s - as you allude to - being they were built as E-3s; they never were standard 707s. Same line, different aeroplane.

Order and E-3 (or P-8etc), Boeing build you and E-3.

Order an E-7, Boeing build you (or sell you) a 737/BBJ and then subcontract the conversion.

Funnily enough I have walked down the 707 production line at Renton with three E-3's under construction, the type which Boeing still classed as a sub version of the civil model. Line numbers being integrated within 707 production as are P-8's within 737 production.

Just like the P-8, E-3's were flown to Boeing Field for completion of the naughty bits; indeed at the time of the ferry flight the rotating radome was not fitted. This also happened with the Japanese EC-767's being flown down from Everett.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Think of it in the same context as an E-3 or E-6 and a Boeing 707. They are the same length, built on the same production line but very different aircraft.

The difference being with the E-3s - as you allude to - being they were built as E-3s; they never were standard 707s. Same line, different aeroplane.

Order and E-3 (or P-8etc), Boeing build you and E-3.

Order an E-7, Boeing build you (or sell you) a 737/BBJ and then subcontract the conversion.

Funnily enough I have walked down the 707 production line at Renton with three E-3's under construction, the type which Boeing still classed as a sub version of the civil model. Line numbers being integrated within 707 production as are P-8's within 737 production.

Indeed so. The French and RAF E-3s are the last 707s off the line.

[filmman]

Thanks to everyone for the informative replies.
Filmman