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Pentagon reportedly cancels Boeing's E-7 Wedgetail program

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Pentagon reportedly cancels Boeing's E-7 Wedgetail program
Policy
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USF Boeing E-7A Wedgetail | Wikipedia

The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly decided to cancel the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail program, a significant airborne surveillance aircraft project that was set to replace the aging E-3 Sentry fleet. According to multiple defense officials cited by FlightGlobal, the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal will not include funding for the E-7's development due to delays, rising costs, and concerns about its survivability in contested environments.

The Pentagon is now considering a shift towards a space-based alternative while potentially relying on additional E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes in the interim. This decision marks a reversal for what was once anticipated as a cornerstone of next-generation airborne command and control. If confirmed, this would be another major setback for Boeing’s defense division.

Senior defense officials have stated that factors leading to the cancellation include an increase in cost from $588 million to $724 million per aircraft and doubts about the aircraft's effectiveness in high-threat environments. The Wedgetail, based on Boeing's 737-700, was initially selected to provide modern airborne early warning and control capabilities for the US Air Force.

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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated during congressional testimony earlier this month that there is an inclination towards developing a space-based alternative. A senior defense official remarked: “We wanted to be able to span the globe. That’s a space-based capability. We are bullish on space, and we think that that’s a capability that can be achieved actually faster than the E-7 will deliver at this point.”

With the winding down of the E-3 fleet, it is expected that additional E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft will be acquired by the Department of Defense for surveillance and command needs. The reported cancellation poses a direct financial impact on Boeing with an existing plan for 26 Wedgetail aircraft potentially being affected.

Boeing had anticipated delivering two prototype E-7As by 2028; however, ongoing supply chain issues make this timeline uncertain. Despite these challenges, Boeing received its first 737 airframe from Spirit AeroSystems earlier this year at its Renton facility and has started assembly of the first prototype.

At the Paris Air Show earlier this month, Steve Parker from Boeing Defense expressed confidence about congressional support for the program as reported by FlightGlobal.

The Boeing E-7A Wedgetail remains operational with several international air forces including those of Australia, South Korea, Turkey, and soon with NATO as part of their modernization efforts. Delivery plans for three units to the UK Royal Air Force remain unchanged pending further developments regarding US military decisions influenced by upcoming budget discussions.

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