The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system is a key asset in airborne surveillance, offering advanced radar and communication systems. This platform enhances threat detection, air traffic tracking, and tactical surveillance capabilities. Several countries have adopted the E-7 to bolster their air defense strategies.
Australia was the first to incorporate the E-7 Wedgetail into its Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 2009 under Project Wedgetail. The RAAF's fleet of six E-7A aircraft has significantly improved airspace control over Australia. According to the RAAF, the E-7 "can cover four million square kilometers during a single sortie," highlighting its strategic importance for national defense and international security collaborations.
The United Kingdom has also integrated the E-7 into its Royal Air Force (RAF), replacing older Sentry E-3 AEW.1 systems. This move aims to enhance situational awareness and battlefield command capabilities. Air Commodore Robert Adang stated that this ensures "an essential level of battlefield command and control," reinforcing the UK's role in NATO.