The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, originally intended to replace the aging E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet, has been cancelled. The cancellation marks a significant strategic shift in America’s approach to airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) capabilities. 

The E-7, which is based on a modified Boeing 707 airframe, offered a modern, radar-rich alternative to the E-3 Sentry. The E-7  was already in service with allies like Australia and the United Kingdom. The United States had planned to procure at least 26 E-7s as part of its ongoing modernization efforts, with the first prototype expected by 2027.

However, in a surprising reversal, the Air Force has scrapped the program, citing budget constraints and changes to operational priorities.

AWACS Planes Aren’t Safe from America’s Adversaries

One of the primary factors that led to the cancellation of the E-7 is the evolving threat environment and increased vulnerability of large, slow-flying platforms........

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