NATO selects the E-7 as replacement for the E-3

[Gary]

NATO has selected its next generation command and control aircraft as the Alliance’s existing Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) fleet nears retirement. Production of the six new Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft is set to begin in the coming years, with the first aircraft expected to be ready for operational duty by 2031. A consortium of Allies gave their approval to the project, one of NATO’s biggest-ever capability purchases, this month.

“Surveillance and control aircraft are crucial for NATO’s collective defence and I welcome Allies’ commitment to investing in high-end capabilities,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “By pooling resources, Allies can buy and operate major assets collectively that would be too expensive for individual countries to purchase. This investment in state-of-the-art technology shows the strength of transatlantic defence cooperation as we continue to adapt to a more unstable world”.

The E-7 Wedgetail is an advanced early warning and control aircraft that provides situational awareness and command and control functions. Equipped with a powerful radar, the aircraft can detect hostile aircraft, missiles and ships at great distances and can direct NATO fighter jets to their targets. The United States, the United Kingdom and Türkiye also either fly the Wedgetail or plan to operate it. It is based on a militarised version of the 737 jetliner.

NATO has operated a fleet of E-3A Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft since the 1980s. Based at Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany, the AWACS have flown in every major NATO operation, including the fight against ISIS as well as on NATO’s eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The E-7 is expected to have its main base at Geilenkirchen and could operate from several forward locations across Europe. The Wedgetail will be part of the Alliance’s future surveillance and control project which will field NATO’s next generation of surveillance systems from the mid-2030s.

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_219907.htm

[roger4]

Sixteen active E-3s to be replaced by just six E-7s. Is this a sign that the E-7 is significantly more capable (or reliable) than the E-3?

[Vulcanone]

Sixteen active E-3s to be replaced by just six E-7s. Is this a sign that the E-7 is significantly more capable (or reliable) than the E-3?

More likely an initial purchase perhaps. As the USAF is also going for it who knows maybe they will buy more, and we might even finally buy all 5...

[Supra]

Vulcanone wrote... "and we might even finally buy all 5..."

Plus a flight of Pigs for surprise flybys?

[Snoop 95]

The quote about this being " NATO's biggest ever capability purchase..." is a bit of headline-grabbing IMHO. I suppose it depends on what they mean by it. Biggest as in most technically advanced (pretty obvious really) or biggest as in most expensive (ditto).

[C24]

Vulcanone wrote... "and we might even finally buy all 5..."

Plus a flight of Pigs for surprise flybys?

does that mean that both purchases will be interchangeable, similar equipment etc.?

Percival Pembrokes flown from RNAS Culdrose? Or painted red and based at RAF Waddington with the elite?

[Vulture 01]

Latest press release via Touchdown, suggests that this is an initial purchase, with probably more to follow.
DSM please!

[TonyO]

Latest press release via Touchdown, suggests that this is an initial purchase, with probably more to follow.
DSM please!

That's not what NATO are saying.

[Uncle Sam]

Sixteen active E-3s to be replaced by just six E-7s. Is this a sign that the E-7 is significantly more capable (or reliable) than the E-3?

Or could NATO be waiting for an upgraded (Mk2) version before committing to further purchases other than the initial 6?

[POL]

Considering the E-7A is now over a decade old, a "Mark 2" would surely already exist by now.

Of course, I'd expect that the first gen Wedgetails delivered to Australia are far, far different to whatever the USAF and NATO are ordering now!

[TonyO]

The current plans call for the E-7s to replace the E-3s and form part of a broader system called AFSC which will do more than the AWACS does now, and use a mix of space-based and ground-based sensors and uncrewed aircraft to perform the same mission. The E-7s will become a component of that system, which is why NATO doesn't feel - at least right now - that more will be needed. Don't forget, more NATO nations now have their own AEW platforms now, including Italy, Poland and soon Sweden when it joins. France will likely also replace their E-3s too.