NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft: From the Widebody E-767 to the Cancelled and Revived E-7
Ending, previous part: NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft: Hawkeye and Sentry – The Workhorses of Radar Surveillance
E-767 and the transition to wide-body platforms
Since the release Boeing 707 was discontinued in 1969, American companies began to develop new AWACS and AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control) systems for foreign customers based on more modern airliners - Boeing 737 и 767Their advantages over E-3:
- improved tactical and technical characteristics;
- larger volume and area of the operational group compartment;
- Lower maintenance and operating costs thanks to modern means of displaying information, monitoring and diagnostics.
Aircraft of the type E-767 (on the base Boeing 767) are in service with the Japanese Air Force. The wide-body platform of the 767 provided more internal volume for equipment and workstations compared to the 707, while the radar remained rotating - AN / APY-2 from the E-3 line. Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, and Italy were also considered potential customers.
Royal Australian Air Force Wedgetail
Boeing has developed an AWACS and CAS aircraft for the Australian Air Force based on Boeing 737Its special feature is the radar. Mesa (Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array) with three fixed active phased array antennas (APAA), the overlapping patterns of which provide 360° azimuth coverage. According to the developer, the radar simultaneously searches in the air and over the sea, controls fighters, and scans a given sector with a maximum range of over 600 km (against fighter-type targets with an RCS of 1–5 m²) in upper-hemisphere search mode. According to publicly available data, the detection range of radio sources by electronic reconnaissance equipment reaches approximately 850 km at an altitude of approximately 9000 m. This refers to the interception of emissions, not the detection range of radar targets, and these parameters should not be confused.
Unlike the rotating dome radar AN/APY-1/2 aircraft E-3 SentryWhich Boeing 737 AEW & C and is intended to replace, MESA is stationary. As a rule, a stationary AESA updates the situation faster than a mechanically rotating antenna, does not have a wearable dome drive, and is better suited to simultaneous operation in several modes. This is why modern machines (Wedgetail, Swedish Erieye) are built around AFAR, not rotating antennas.
The fuselage is used in the design of the glider Boeing 737-700 and a modified reinforced wing Boeing 737-800To increase patrol time, additional fuel tanks were installed. The increased takeoff weight required reinforced landing gear, and a lower aerodynamic fin housing the onboard defense system equipment was added to maintain longitudinal stability. According to calculations by American specialists, patrol time without refueling at an altitude of 9000–10,000 m and a distance of 500 km from the base should be approximately 8 hours.
The operational group compartment is equipped with six operator workstations, with the potential to increase to 14. The mid-fuselage contains a lounge, while the tail section houses racks with radar equipment units and radar transceiver modules (approximately 280–300 modules—open-source information varies). The units are arranged in easily accessible racks that the crew can access during flight, increasing the system's maintainability. The system includes an open-architecture command complex, similar to the British patrol aircraft's tactical system. BAE Nimrod MRA4 (option Boeing TMS-2000). Its openness allows for the addition of new devices, including infrared and television surveillance and reconnaissance stations, as needed. According to the developer, all equipment is compatible with similar NATO systems.
Australia ordered four aircraft and later exercised an option for two more (out of a possible three), bringing the fleet to six. The first aircraft (called Wedgetail) were assembled, equipped and tested in Seattle, Washington, with the remainder manufactured by subsidiary Boeing Australia; first deliveries took place in November 2009. The cooperation involved Boeing and Northrop, Boeing Australia and BAE Systems Australia: Boeing Australia provides training, service and support, BAE supplies the systems EW (electronic warfare) and ground support.
All Wedgetail The Royal Australian Air Force operates the aircraft from No. 2 Squadron, based at RAF Williamtown. The fleet achieved initial operational capability in November 2012.
On 10 March 2026, the Australian Government announced that E-7A Wedgetail and 85 support personnel will be deployed to the United Arab Emirates as part of Australia's response to the escalating conflict around Iran in the spring of 2026. The deployment is reportedly related to increased monitoring of the Persian Gulf airspace in the face of missile and drone attacks and does not involve participation in offensive operations; the likely location is said to be Al Minhad Air Base, from where Wedgetail operated during Operation Okra.
Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft of the Turkish Air Force
The Turkish Air Force has ordered four Boeing 737 AEW&C Peace Eagle along with ground support systems and an option for two more. The main subcontractor was Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) — parts manufacturing, testing, assembly, and refitting; another Turkish subcontractor, HAVELSAN, was responsible for ground support, systems analysis, and software, and became the only foreign company with a U.S. government license to access critical source code. Peace Eagle 1 Modified and tested in the United States, aircraft 2, 3, and 4 were developed at TAI facilities in Ankara in partnership with Boeing and several Turkish companies. In 2006, delivery of all four was planned for 2008.
Tests of the first Peace Eagle Boeing conducted the test in September 2007, and already in June 2008 announced the completion of the R&D (experimental design work) on modernization Peace Eagle 2; flight and combat systems checks were completed in the third quarter of the same year. In 2013, Israel delivered Peace Eagle electronic warfare equipment (according to a number of media reports, the decision was linked to the US position; there is no official confirmation of this rationale). On February 21, 2014, the first Peace Eaglenamed North ("North"), officially adopted by the Turkish Air Force; the rest were named South (South), East (East) and West (West). The fourth and final one was delivered in December 2015. A preliminary contract for the modernization of Turkish E-7 Peace Eagle: software update and equipping with the IFF (identification flight factor) system Mode 5 Responder, antenna Karetta CRPA and on-board computer Aselsan.
In November 2006, Boeing signed a contract with the South Korean Air Force (about $1,6 billion, according to open sources) for the delivery of four aircraft by 2012, beating IAI Elta with a platform based on Gulfstream G550 (she dropped out of the competition in August 2006). First Peace Eye were delivered to Gimhae Air Base in Busan for acceptance testing in August 2011, the remaining three were delivered at six-month intervals until 2012. The second aircraft was converted to an AWACS configuration and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI); he arrived in Gimhae in December 2011, the third in May 2012, and the fourth in October 2012.
In October 2019, the South Korean newspaper Munhwa reported that from 2013 to 2019, four E-7 The aircraft frequently failed due to technical issues; total repair costs amounted to approximately 350 billion Korean won, while each aircraft cost approximately 400 billion won at purchase. Fleet availability from 2015 to 2019 was 63–73%—below the design target of 75%. The Korean experience is sobering: the combined repair of four aircraft over six years cost almost the price of one new aircraft.
E-7 in the UK
In October 2018, Theresa May's government announced talks with Boeing about a replacement fleet E-3D + E-7 Wedgetail; negotiations were also underway with Australia. The decision to purchase without a competitive bid drew criticism: the Ministry of Defense was accused of favoritism toward Boeing, and Saab objected to the "non-competitive" deal, as it could offer a system Erieye on the base Airbus A330 MRTT (multifunctional tanker transport). In March 2019, the UK signed an agreement (approximately $1,98 billion) for five E-7 Wedgetail with the name "Wedgetail AEW1". The modification of the airframe was initially planned to be carried out Marshall Aerospace, but in May 2020 she refused, and on May 20, 2020, Boeing selected the British division STS Aviation GroupTwo of the five aircraft were converted from commercial airliners, while the rest were built from scratch. Conversion of a civilian airliner takes approximately 24 months: work on the first aircraft began in 2021.
In December 2020, the magazine Air Forces Monthly reported that the UK was considering reducing the procurement from five to three aircraft, noting that such a move "could often mean that only one aircraft would be available for operational missions." The 2021 Integrated Defence Review confirmed the reduction to three, amid overall budgetary pressures and a review of defence spending priorities. In late 2022, initial operational capability was pushed back to 2024, then to 2025, then to 2026. In February 2023, Chief Marshal aviation Michael Wigston stated that the order for three aircraft could eventually grow to five; the 2025 Defence Review recommended purchasing additional aircraft, possibly jointly with other NATO allies.
There's a Wedgetail AEW1 The Royal Air Force received the aircraft on October 18, 2024, assigning it the markings of No. 8 Squadron, the first to operate it. The aircraft made its public debut at the 2025 Royal International Airshow, where it flew alongside the Red Arrows aerobatic team.
E-7 in the US: Ordering, Cancellation, and Returns
In February 2021, US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kenneth Wilsbach proposed acquiring the aircraft as soon as possible. E-7 to replace E-3 in the Indo-Pacific region, and in March 2022 he clarified: E-3 insufficient detection range for aircraft such as the Chinese Chengdu J-20. In April 2021 Aviation Week & Space Technology reported that the earliest possible acquisition E-7 General Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, also supported the proposal. In October 2021, the U.S. Air Force announced its intention to award Boeing a no-bid contract to study compliance. E-7 their demands.
In April 2022, the US Air Force announced that E-7 will replace E-3 as "the only platform capable of meeting the Department of Defense's tactical battle management, command and control, and time-critical moving target acquisition requirements." An initial contract (approximately $1,2 billion) was awarded in 2023 for the development of two variants. E-7 for the US. The final decision on production of the entire fleet of 26 aircraft was planned for 2025, and the delivery of the first E-7 US Air Force - for 2027.
In June 2025, the press reported that the Trump administration was considering canceling the purchase. E-7 due to concerns about its vulnerability in future conflicts. Testifying before Congress, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cited E-7 as an example of systems that do not survive on the modern battlefield:
…systems and platforms that do not survive on the modern battlefield or do not give us an advantage in future battles… difficult decisions must be made.
On June 26, 2025, reports emerged that the program had been cancelled. E-7 due to rising costs and concerns about the aircraft's survivability. The termination, announced as part of the fiscal year 2026 budget, followed months of speculation and coincided with the administration's growing interest in space-based airborne detection and tracking (AAT) capabilities—air target moving indicator (ATMI).AMTI, Air Moving Target Indication). AMTI's plan was to move the detection of moving airborne targets to an orbital constellation of satellites, reducing dependence on vulnerable carrier aircraft. The decision to cancel the program also drew criticism: several Air Force and Congressional officials pointed out that there was no immediate equivalent alternative. E-7 no, but a write-off E-3 without replacement creates a gap in capabilities.
Those in favor of the abolition argue that large radar platforms have become vulnerable: long-range ones have appeared missiles air-to-air (Russian) P-37M, Chinese PL-15/PL-17), capable of engaging support aircraft at long ranges. Hence the interest in transferring detection functions to less vulnerable platforms: spacecraft (AMTI) and AWACS/UAV combinations. Opponents respond that the transfer is not yet technically complete: space-based moving target indicator systems are still under development, and UAV combinations do not provide the operator with a comprehensive real-time battlefield picture and the interactive control afforded by a larger platform. Furthermore, the vulnerability E-7 It's not absolute: it operates at great distances and under fighter cover, which complicates—though doesn't rule out—its interception. Therefore, the argument is stalled: the vulnerability is real, and there's currently no substitute.
And then both options were realized at once—the focus on space and the preservation of the aircraft platform. In September 2025, an Air Force spokesman announced that two previously purchased aircraft from airlines Boeing 737 They will still be upgraded into two prototypes of the next-generation AWACS and U-25 for the US Air Force. In March 2026, the US Air Force awarded Boeing two contracts totaling approximately $2,43 billion to continue development of the two prototypes. E-7AThe program was canceled as a mass procurement, but retained as a development program—essentially as insurance in case the space-based AMTI didn't reach the required readiness on time.
A Saab 100B Argus aircraft of the Swedish Air Force
For the Swedish Air Force, Saab is developing a passenger transport aircraft based on Saab 340B created an AWACS and U aircraft Saab 100B Argus with side-looking pulse-Doppler radar PS-890 (AESA, Erieye). The station, whose modes are controlled from ground stations, is capable of detecting more than 100 air and surface targets. The antenna (weighing approximately 900 kg) is assembled from approximately 200 transmit/receive modules (estimates vary) and has two side beam patterns (120° sectors) and two 60° blind spots in the nose and tail; these are covered by changing the aircraft's course. The radar is estimated to track ships, aircraft, and missiles at a range of up to 300–400 km while operating at an altitude of 6100 m. The Swedish Air Force has ordered six aircraft of this family (different designations for the same aircraft: Saab 100B / S 100B Argus, and export CSA 890 — an option for military assistance). On May 29, 2024, the Swedish Ministry of Defence announced that two AWACS and U aircraft (CSA 890) will be sent to Ukraine as part of the 16th military support package.
Pakistan Air Force Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft
Aircraft Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C Pakistan Air Force was used during the Indo-Pakistani conflict of 2025. After the missile strike BrahMos The Indian Air Force announced the destruction of a missile at the Pakistani air base in Bholari. Saab 2000 AEW&CPakistani officials have denied this. There is currently no independent confirmation of either version. Saab 2000 AEW&C — a variant of the AWACS and U aircraft with radar PS-890 (AESA, Erieye), created for foreign customers on the basis of a more modern airliner Saab 2000.
Instead of a conclusion
Over the course of eight decades, the AWACS class has evolved from a single radar on a torpedo bomber Avenger to networked systems with active phased array (APAA), open architecture, and UAV collaboration. There are three main trends today:
- transition from rotating antennas to fixed APAA (Wedgetail, Erieye);
- data integration into a single combat network – due to open onboard systems and compatibility with data exchange standards (Link 16, NATO Joint Forces systems);
- In response to the increasing range of air-to-air missiles, detection functions are gradually being transferred to less vulnerable carriers, including space.
The Americans completed the program in a year E-7 Closed as a mass purchase and half-reopened as the development of two prototypes - better evidence that no one has yet decided on the future of large radar platforms, and you can’t come up with anything better.
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