E-3 Numbers Reduced Again

[Callum1998]

Not sure how true this was but read a while back on a Facebook group saying that one of the E-3’s was going to become a ground frame for the US Navy E-6 fleet?

[Cyberfox]

They didn't last very long did they.

How many of these 'Wedgetail' (what a hideous name!) contraptions are the RAF getting? Enough to actually cover the areas they're needed or just a token gesture so we can pretend we have a capability?

Will they even be RAF operated or will it be partly by contractors? No doubt they'll look exactly like airliners and carry no unit marking either.

And yet the world is more dangerous and needs more surveillance than ever. We need two full squadrons of these, not a handful!

[Kurnass]

The RAF will get 5 of them, which should be enough considering the number of E3’s in use. And most likely the Wedgetails will have a higher availability ratio compared to the old E3’s.

[Cyberfox]

Just five!? Hopefully their serviceability will be high then.

I assume it'll be number 8 squadron that has the honour of operating them?

[Vulcanone]

First RAF E-3D flew in 1990, with first handed over to the RAF at Waddington in March 1991. ZH107 the final 7th Airframe delivered in 1992. so how do you surmise that 5 is not enough 737 AEWCs ? France only bought 4 E-3Fs, and they are bigger. And We have yet to name them.

Yes the USAF, and NATO jets are older, but having all had a lot more money thrown at them, aside from the NATO jets that have gone to AMARG for parting out,our are effectively Cream Crackered.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Just five!? Hopefully their serviceability will be high then.

I assume it'll be number 8 squadron that has the honour of operating them?

Considering it’s one of the most ubiquitous airframes in the world, yes.

[EGDR]

No doubt they'll look exactly like airliners and carry no unit marking either.

Aside from the massive radar stuck on the top, and it's not as if the E-3 isn't a converted airliner!

[Vulcanone]

Well 8 and 23 painted special markings on them... In additional to the markings they normally carried, along with the City of Lincoln crest.

Even 54 Sqn got in on the 100 year act, alas its never flown, and never will either.

[Agent K]

They didn't last very long did they.

How many of these 'Wedgetail' (what a hideous name!) contraptions are the RAF getting? Enough to actually cover the areas they're needed or just a token gesture so we can pretend we have a capability?

Will they even be RAF operated or will it be partly by contractors? No doubt they'll look exactly like airliners and carry no unit marking either.

And yet the world is more dangerous and needs more surveillance than ever. We need two full squadrons of these, not a handful!

They lasted pretty long.

Wedgetail is an Australian bird and the name is only used in Australia, although it's still better than some previous RAF aircraft, Tomtit, Gordon etc etc.

5 will cover current capability, and it's the biggest AEW fleet in Europe outside of the US/NATO fleet.

They'll look like airliners with a huge radar on top and many aerials, like the current E3 which looks like an airliner as it was derived from an airliner!

I'd assume the nature of the role would mean an RAF crew, but there's nothing wrong with contracted services if it makes sense? and perhaps some suppport roles might be contracted?

Interested in your proposition that we need 2 squadrons, and how many would be in each squadron? are you involved in defence strategy and mission and fleet planning?

[ColintheCaterpillar]

I'd assume the nature of the role would mean an RAF crew, but there's nothing wrong with contracted services if it makes sense? and perhaps some suppport roles might be contracted?

I suspect it’ll be just like every other RAF set up: first line in RAF, depth will be (rightly) contractors.

Interested in your proposition that we need 2 squadrons, and how many would be in each squadron? are you involved in defence strategy and mission and fleet planning?

Quite where people expect to find two Sqn’s worth of personnel could be a challenge!

[lowlevelRAF]

Bring in mind as well, the radar itself on top of the E-7 is alot newer and has lot more capability than the current radar fitted the the RAF E-3D. The RAAF used their Wedgetail's to great affect over Iraq and Syria few years back.

[Agent K]

Had some good views of an RAAF Wedgetail over Nellis in February during red flag, an interesting looking aircraft, here's a photo I took and posted over on Instagram.....

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8zJxB_hSi3 ... 45po5kvyfj

[Canberra TT.18]

News on Scramble

In-Flight Trainer, RAF E-3D Purchase by USA

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/i ... ase-by-usa

[ColintheCaterpillar]

News on Scramble

In-Flight Trainer, RAF E-3D Purchase by USA

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/i ... ase-by-usa

As alluded to in the article, quite possibly related to the last sentence in the first post on the thread.