Boeing has successfully completed the first flight of the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, currently unpainted, which is undergoing modifications on British soil. The aircraft, one of three 737 NG planes, is being modified by a team of over 100 specialists at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham.
“This functional check flight is a crucial step for both Boeing and the RAF, as part of our thorough testing and evaluation process,” said Stu Voboril, Boeing’s vice president and E-7 program manager. “We are dedicated to delivering the safety, quality, and capabilities that have been promised as we prepare to hand over the UK’s first E-7 Wedgetail to the RAF.”
Group Captain Richard Osselton, RAF Programme Director for the Wedgetail, commented, “This marks a major milestone, thanks to the exceptional efforts of the RAF team, DE&S, Boeing, and STS Aviation. We now look forward to continuing the Test & Evaluation phase as we prepare for the aircraft to enter service.”
DE&S Director of Air Support, Richard Murray, added, “This first flight is a key achievement for the program, made possible by the hard work of our team and partners. We are moving closer to delivering this vital capability to the RAF.”
The E-7 Wedgetail, already combat-tested, offers long-range detection and identification of threats, tracking multiple airborne and maritime targets with its 360-degree Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor. It provides critical multi-domain awareness, giving commanders a decisive advantage.
“We’re proud of the robust modification line established in the UK to deliver the RAF’s future Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) fleet,” said Maria Laine, president of Boeing UK, Ireland, and the Nordics. “This capability will play a key role in supporting the UK’s national security and regional stability.”
The UK’s E-7 fleet will be stationed at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, where infrastructure to support the aircraft’s operations is nearing completion. The RAF is collaborating with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) on interoperability, development, and operations of the Wedgetail.
Currently, the E-7 is operated by the RAAF, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force. Boeing is building two prototype E-7 aircraft for the USAF, and NATO has selected the E-7 for its AEW&C missions. After further testing and evaluation, the aircraft will head to a paint facility this autumn to receive its RAF livery.
