What the E-3 Sentry Replacement Looks Like

The U.S. Air Force has taken the first step toward a rapid acquisition of Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail airborne warning and control aircraft to replace the aging E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS.
Senior Air Force leaders, at Air Space Cyber Conference, said they were looking favorably at replacing the E-3 with the E-7A Wedgetail, given its lower operating cost and non-developmental status.
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[@josephradley3160]

The other advantage to using aircraft that are in use with commercial airlines is it gives crossover capability for Air Force reserve and Air National guard pilots and ground crews.

[@josephradley3160]

@Reader Stuff which is always good

[@Rose.Of.Hizaki]

@Reader Stuff Parts would also be cheaper and readily available.... Unless war were declared. 🚨

[@srcastic8764]

I used to work on AWACS. Reserve troops are not a factor. It’s such a specialized unit it does not use any reservists. There are not many of the planes and will not be many of these either. It’s just not part of the equation.

[@srcastic8764]

@@Rose.Of.Hizaki parts availability for these Hera is not an issue. Even on the 707 airframe it isn’t. The USAF maintains its own supply chain and repairs it’s own parts for it. So the existing parts are constantly in a loop of flying, repair, storage, install, flying….

[@Rose.Of.Hizaki]

@@srcastic8764 I was being sarcastic hence the Futurama reference at the end. My point was from a production stand point that you dont have to spend money on extra machining and tooling (or time needed for extra machining and tooling) if parts were all cross compatible -- At least this is my understanding from production standpoint to minimise costs. But then again a lot of machines these days are built with parts that are deliberately intended to break to make you pull out your wallet and buy a replacement or have their engineers sent out to fix it as part of a service package and i think this is the same for a lot of things in the US Marines. Ive heard a lot about army engineers in the USMC not being allowed to repair stuff because the USMC has signed a contract with the manufacturer to only have their technicians and engineers come out to fix shit. But its good to know that the USAF has its own parts storage and does its own repairs.

[@samuelweir5985]

Will kind of miss seeing the old E-3 Sentry aircraft go. They're impressive looking aircraft.

[@encryptedaviation1452]

Yeah the new ones just look like some commercial plane, like they’re not as cool as the iconic E-3 Sentry AWACS

[@allangibson8494]

Unfortunately the youngest one is older than their pilots fathers.

[@emmanuelmeysman820]

@@encryptedaviation1452 I'm also going to miss his rotating radar object .

[@encryptedaviation1452]

@@emmanuelmeysman820 same. Though I hope to see one at this years RIAT.

[@johnh8615]

Interesting fact . The WEDGETAIL is an Australian apex bird. The biggest eagle 🦅 we have Farmers use to kill them thinking they were taking a lot of lambs. But after they killed too many they then found that foxes and rabbits and cats and other birds were the real problem to the lambs . So they needed the wedgetail to keep these pest down.

[@michaelr3955]

Badasssssss

[@AussieVeteran71]

Don’t forget drones and paragliders

[@markfryer9880]

@@AussieVeteran71 Yeah, they are always picking off the lambs. The Bastards! ;-)

[@ricbarker4829]

Rabbits taking lambs? Well, that's no ordinary rabbit! That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on! Look, that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer! He'll do you up a treat, mate.

[@alanjenkins1508]

The legacy of coming from Britain. Everything that moved would be killed in the mistaken assumption that if an animal was eating a dead lamb, then it must have killed it.

[@michaelw6173]

Australia helped develop and design this aircraft for the RAAF and it has been in Service for 12 years. It is named after the Wedgetail Eagle. The combined forces in the Middle East for the last few years have used the RAAF's aircraft for the job it was intended to do.

[@YaMomsOyster]

Yes, that should mean Royalties from USAF and RAF

[@user-fx6ij3vb6g]

Probably one of the only times Australia has displayed military competence, even if it still needs US tech and companies to be able to do anything at all.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

Wow, if this is the future of the AWACS plane then I'm ready I was a kid when I saw one during a segment called in the news on CBS before the adults destroyed Saturday morning cartoons.

[@artistjoh]

The Wedgetail, developed by the Australians for their own needs proved itself to be an exceptionally capable aircraft in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria where it became a primary early warning and command platform for all allied forces. The American experience with the Wedgetail in the Middle East makes it no surprise that they are wanting to purchase the aircraft. It is a superior system to the current American AWACs.

[@arthas640]

The Americans and Commonwealth have an amazing reciprocation and alliance. The Aussies and Americans are always not only working together but also learning from one another constantly. If something works for the Americans it draws Australian interest and the same is true when something works for the Aussies.

[@ThatCarGuy]

The E7 is developed by Boeing and uses the Northrop Grumman MESA radar, which is American... Australia requested they build them AWACS... The E-3 is better. Heck so is the E8. The US does not want the E7, hence never acquiring it, even though it's first flight was in 2004. The US has denied it and will likely build something new, not based on 90's technology like the E7, which by the time they had enough, would all need upgrades, making it cheaper to build new and better. "US Air Force’s top general won’t commit to Wedgetail Despite interest in acquiring the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail to replace the Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft from some corners of the US Air Force (USAF), at the Air Force Association’s virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium, US Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, Jr said he wasn’t ready to commit to the aircraft."

[@ThatCarGuy]

@@geoflewis204 I agree the air frames are aging but as stated above "The US has denied it and will likely build something new, not based on 90's technology like the E7, which by the time they had enough, would all need upgrades, making it cheaper to build new and better. " By the time they built the number they need, their will be newer and better requiring upgrades as the E7 has been around since 2004, it's not something new. Hence why the US admitted they don't want it: "US Air Force’s top general won’t commit to Wedgetail Despite interest in acquiring the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail to replace the Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft from some corners of the US Air Force (USAF), at the Air Force Association’s virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium, US Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, Jr said he wasn’t ready to commit to the aircraft."

[@ThatCarGuy]

@@geoflewis204 "There are 31 E3's in US service .. Availability is running at about 40% .. That's about 12 aircraft at any one time .. That's Shit" Which is more then the entire Australian air force and about the number of E7s built all over the world... Using your logic, it's shit. " not what this General thinks this or that, or which is better , blah blah.. " Ah you are trolling me, blocked, enjoy trolling someone else.

[@ThatCarGuy]

@Aussiebloke0001 As stated above, I agree they are aging and it is an issue, but also as stated above the US will not be going the E7 route, as they are already based on 90's tech being first flown in 2004. While the E7 has a high availability, the lack of number of all them combined in the world, equal to around the US availability. With the quote above the US will likely build something newer based on newer technology on a newer frame, as by the time the US has 30+ E7s they would all need to be upgraded, making it redundant and keep many down on mission availability. Which is likely more expensive then building a new plane meant for the US military as the E7 is made by the US, it's Aussy spec, which the US would have to modify anyway. I have nothing against the E7 but it's almost 20 years old, not to US spec, the US will not be going with it as quoted above. It could be used as a stop gap, but otherwise the US will be going with their own design.

[@ronlucock3702]

You often see in videos how USAF ground handlers stand rigid & salute the pilot as the aircraft departs the stand. I love how at 6:10 we just give them a wave, and then a few seconds late, heck, just give them another one! It's like, "Cheers mate, see ya later!". That's so Aussie!

[@FiveTwoSevenTHR]

The Boeing 737 replacing the Boeing 367-80 makes a lot of sense. They're both about the same size but the 737 has been modernized and is much more efficient and less maintenance heavy especially compared to the older AWACS still flying with old engines.

[@YaMomsOyster]

You need glasses if you think they the same size , the 737 is tiny.

[@23merlino]

@@YaMomsOyster - the latest 737's aren't tiny, they are only about 5 meters shorter than the 707... after all the 737 evolved out of the 707 design...

[@FiveTwoSevenTHR]

@@YaMomsOyster the 135s are also tiny. They're dwarfed by the 767 that's replacing them for refuelling.

[@tomdolan9761]

It's a POS that Boeing can no longer market to the civilian market...the very idea that a once great company is in the hands of Wall Street hucksters and corrupt politicians sickens me

[@23merlino]

@@tomdolan9761- agreed, the whole saga of the 737max has shown that something is very wrong with boeing at the moment... i assume the ongoing success of airbus has something to with it as well...

[@RonLWilson]

Your analysis here seems to be spot on!

[@nigelhill74]

Developed with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Named after Australia's Wedge-Tailed Eagle.

[@Liferoad371]

Great program, Thanks

[@byloyuripka9624]

3:29 my eyes rolled back in ny head and are stuck, thanks for reporting unbiased and truthful news :) also thanks for being good at detecting sarcasm!

[@tippo5341]

Unfortunately the USAF's 707 based fleet of aircraft (no matter their type/operational designations) are quickly becoming obsolete as airframes for any real fit purpose. They have served their time admirably over many many decades, through proven conflict operations, the Cold War era's and just their general service throughout the years...time has come for the forces to progress into modern times and conduct duties in more fuel efficient and reliable aircraft to maintain their readiness and operational availability....a 40% rate of availaibility is quite woeful in terms of military usage. High time these lumbering hulks of airframes are finally retired and put out to pasture, their service to the US and world as a whole will never be forgotten, like the many aircraft before them...they do have used by/best before date...unfortunately!!!! Cheers from Aus!!!!

[@skyhawk_4526]

@Drew Peacock And what current airframe flies above 60.000 meters? (Nothing a radome could be mounted on, and nothing that could accommodate the number of crew required to monitor and manage the on board systems.)

[@midnightegg4959]

Working mx on the e3 currently & it's an absolute pain in the ass. Issues ranging from literal age of the a/c causing issues to supply chain status.

[@christopherwaits7852]

@@midnightegg4959 doesn’t the AF have priority for contractors to keep the supply chain moving? You’d think suppliers would keep making 707 parts as long as the USAF has them (and the E6)

[@AussieVeteran71]

Good to see the U.S. finally thinking on the Wedgetail

[@patmcbride9853]

I used to work in a repair depot for AWACS components. The parts we refurbished were pretty old in the 1990s.

[@oguzercag358]

First of all this aircraft is really easy to keep airworthy. There are lots of people around the world who have lots of experience on this platform such as pilots, engineers and technicians. Salutions from Peace Eagle.

[@bradleywoods1999]

The disc on the E3 looks so cool

[@TheWizardGamez]

Great to see the integration of the ASA(actively scanned array) system being used in our awacs

[@jamesvandamme7786]

The E-3 low sidelobe antenna was an amazing achievement for 40 years ago. Time marches on.

[@jamesvandamme7786]

@@connorBernier Sidelobes put energy where you don't want it, and receives the return from somewhere else than where you're looking. So you see targets that aren't where they really are. And anti-radar missiles and ECM jammers can target you. So you want to minimize them. The E-3 sidelobes were "better" than the usual antenna. If you need to know more you'll have to go through the usual classified channels. Same with specifics about the E-3 radar.

[@SpecialistQKD]

It's hard to get used to when you grew up seeing the big spinning plate but I guess its more sleek and I can get to like it👀

[@geoflewis204]

Go for it .. Great stopgap solution until satellite option is up and running and fully tested .. It's in production and ready to roll .. Used by several allies and combat proven ..

[@patrickweaver7395]

The Wedgetail has been working in Australia for years - a great aicrraft!

[@loganholmberg2295]

If you replace it with unmanned wouldn't you have hug data lags between landbased controllers and the data? Nevermind any jamming that could happen between the drone/sat and the controllers.

[@semco72057]

I remember seeing the E-3's at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma when I was there and getting ready to fly to Texas. They are nice looking aircraft and the new aircraft must be nicer also since they are modified civilian versions of the 737 airplane.

[@GOLEG11]

Everyone in USAF Knows that Tinker is in Oklahoma lol..

[@gravestone9831]

@@GOLEG11 not everyone on here is air force tho

[@Debaucherousgeek]

The E-3/707s in service are a testament to American engineering!! 50 year old airframes still in service. WOW!!

[@screddot7074]

I went to AF OTS in 81 to be an air weapons controller ( battle manager today), the crew that operates the E-3 systems. AF would not give you any specifics on what the job entailed, but the turnover rate was atrocious. You were locked into that career field for the rest of your AF career. Frequent deployments and long hours were common. The re-enlistment rate was about the worse in the AF. I asked for another assignment, the AF said no, so I decided to leave the Officer Training. As a potential officer, you can do that, because you don't take your oath until you are commissioned.. As an enlisted, you are obligated from the time you take your oath prior to going to basic training.

[@gravestone9831]

Good to see that from another perspective, former AC130W comm/nav maintainer

[@TheRpg1964]

My feedback/information from undisclosed sources is that when aircraft were handed to E-7 in theatre, they were more than happy to accept due to the better capabilities as opposed to E3. Either that or they preferred to listen to Aussie GCI's than American ones!

[@Foresight-yy1ec]

Though not specifically mentioned, I wonder if this new platform would be able to generate weapons grade target tracks, cue and guiding over the horizon weapons to impact while their launch platforms standoff and remain radar silent. I believe the USN E-2D and F-35C already has this capability.

[@elvisfundin9257]

L Band radars are usually not as precise as the radars on fighters or ships. The Tracking from the E2D from what I've seen is not a full tracking but rather guiding a missile with radar to a target and then the missiles own radar takes over when its close enough

[@santyclause8034]

Data Link gives a greater bvr situ-eval to F-35's hooking up with these bad bois. And F-35 data tells a racked missile everything the F-35 link is getting from the Wedgetail, that it needs to write down. Interactive operation is a force multiplier, and spreading the inside circle to a wider ring of co-operability magnifies Joint Strike lethality.

[@DanielWilliams-wb8bg]

L band radars can easily detect stealth aircraft, it can detect our own, so it can definitely detect less stealthy Russian and Chinese copies of our stuff. Also, the latest US missiles, like the AIM-120, the upcoming AIM-260, and LRASM have 2 way data links, making able to send and receive target info in flight.

[@srcastic8764]

If it’s going to replace the E-3 in every way it’s going to have to do do everything the E-3 can do and more. The E-3 is much more capable that the E-2 Hawkeye. The F-35 is specifically designed to handle weapons and to control a small AO, but it can’t handle a theater of operation like the E-3. The E-3 is an ATC in the sky that can handle a huge number of friendly assets and direct them to any of the incredible number of enemy bogeys it can track all at once. It does so much at once it has numerous controllers and techs at numerous consoles to control it all and direct the assets. The E-2 is a much smaller, less capable version of the E-3, designed to pretty much deal with the aircraft from the carrier to which it is assigned. Neither the E-3 nor E-2 are intended to guide missiles to their contact points.

[@jimp429]

YOu don't know me but " you did great !!!! JIM I'm the one who kept ser # 1674 TS-3 flying (45 years) I would loved for you to put a little on the "changing a klystron tube RSIP upgrade" but you covered so much and I enjoyed every minute. OH I have 6 nice awards Just for " the needed flight simulator upgrade took 3 years" the little Chin Ferring on the nose. That was Capt Farmer and Myself, than " that is a nice story. Started in 1977 , Mr. Morie Farler, Gus Angelus, Test Pilot LTC Tom Hunsadder, Hopefully breakfast today, cafe on the Oval Milford NH, Mr Gephart shared the hanger for the block 30 with "TEX JOHNSON" and his -80" "new vidio for you No one covered HIS landing gear was made with wood" Haven't seen anyone over that. Tex called me down and showed me, I was building the landing gear on the other end of the hanger. then we all would take a break and go to Lunch. AWACS block 20 thru block 40 Included Wedgtail, Japen 777 and on. . Just turned 78 and I think this is one of the best AWACS story. and I can tell you how we did "black hawk down. coordination effort was one of my most interesting events beside the night before we moved from "shield to storm" so much behind the scene in the skiff stuff. thank you again !!!!

[@TheJoeSwanon]

I’m so used to seeing that spinning radar

[@rock3times]

Yeah, the Australian are clairvoyant, they bought the Wedgetails way... Before the US... How the US still relies on the old Boeing707 airframes is amazing !!!!

[@normansilver905]

Great step forward! The new technology use will increase the abilities of this new aircraft version.

[@matthewwadwell6100]

Who wants to bet that N.I.H. syndrome will cause the US Air Force to take the Wedgetail, spend additional money on it (enough to classify it as "developed in America"), and only _then_ put it into service, 10 years later with the same capability..... Or am I just being old and cynical?

[@bernardsulman1506]

It was developed and built in the USA. Just that so far all of the orders have been for export customers and none for the US military. Australia does not have the capacity to make such a system on their own, we (I am an Aussie) had to buy from an established industry leader.. e.g. Boeing.

[@matthewwadwell6100]

@@bernardsulman1506 Kinda half true. It was developed by private US companies - but at the request of and funded by the Australian Defense Force. Without the Australian money and requirements, the Wedgetail would not have been made. So yeah, I _still_ think that as the US _military_ had nothing to do with it's development, N.I.H. will still mean that it will be further "developed" by the US air force before accepting it into service.....

[@williamscoggin1509]

Looks like a very capable and proven platform.

[@safreestyle]

Same airframe as the P-8 Posieden. That right there is a good reason to switch.

[@xxgss7786]

Wedgetail has a lot of problems in the development period. The project was delayed by at least 5 to 6 years. The budget was over ran by billion dollars. Good to see it achieved its design goal in the end and in particular, US Air Force interested in it.

[@unfurling3129]

Initial estimates were too cheap and quick

[@corvanphoenix]

Yeah. At least now it's great, not all of our cockups go this well!

[@xxgss7786]

@@unfurling3129 it was Boeing’s first fixed price contract. None of the fixed price contract works well. This one was horrible in the early days.

[@steggs69]

Brand new design... It was never going to be on-time and on budget.

[@bradleyanderson4315]

The good thing is that the Australians covered that over run.

[@markbooth1117]

Also for the UK, our new E-7's could be serviced alongside our new P-8 Poseidon's, the same basic airframe and I should think flightdeck crews could cross-deck between the P-8's and E-7's, so I should think using the same simulator's too.

[@jamesbartlett5640]

Just shame we only getting three should be at least five. Also isn’t it going to be based at RAF Lossiemouth?

[@markbooth1117]

@@jamesbartlett5640 I agree. 3 would mean 1 on operations, 1 training and 1 maintainence. At least 5 would be good, 7 would be better as it is a huge Atlantic to search/patrol, considering we had lots of Nimrods back in the 80's, covering North and South and in the air on a rotating basis. Now the Cold War is fully back on again.

[@lastfirst5863]

@@markbooth1117 I think the reason for the small number is none of them will really be used to fly, but to design the layout and figure out how to integrate it into their systems before they purchase how many they actually want.

[@cliffhigson7581]

The usaf has had personnel periodically being based here in Australia down at the williamtown raaf base at 2 squadron which operates the wedge tail so they must be keen to try them out.(or maybe the Americans just love Australian beer & food 😉😂)

[@kdrapertrucker]

Well, the beer anyway, sister and brother-in-law went to Australia on vacation about 4 years ago, ended up cooking for themselves as they found the food very bland.

[@MayaUndefined]

Deploying and controlling drones from the E7 seems like a smart move, too.

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed to integrate with the E-7, the US is currently in talks with the Aussies about acquiring some.

[@PpAirO5]

Beautiful plane.

[@philchristmas4071]

We Americans and the Aussies work close together. We've built a strong friendship. 🇺🇸🤝🇦🇺

[@franciscogil6798]

I have seen one or several of those planes parked in Boeing field next to the museum of flight in Seattle since 2015

[@kyberwolfuk]

We just said goodbye today to our last working E3D Sentry from Waddington home since 1991.

[@ISAFMobius18]

Thank goodness the E-7A is able to have a direct data link to the IJN Battleship Yamato 7:45

[@Chris_at_Home]

I’d be curious what size alternators they have to power everything with only two engines. I know the Navy’s P3 had 3 engines that had generators.

[@lastfirst5863]

Boeing building near me is involved in the P-8 program replacing the P-3, so we see both flying overhead regularly.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

THANKS....From an old Navy Shoe🇺🇸

[@deidraconlee5466]

Hello Steve How are you doing

[@AVOWIRENEWS]

Absolutely, engine balance and its impact on motorcycle performance is a captivating subject! The choice between a 285-degree crossplane twin and a 270-degree twin really highlights the subtle yet significant differences in engine technology. Each configuration offers its own unique characteristics, like the distinct sound or the specific way power is delivered. It's interesting how these engineering choices can influence not just the bike's performance but also the overall riding experience. Do you find one type more suited to a particular riding style or scenario? 🛠🏁

[@rontribbey5510]

It looks like a great replacement.

[@dr.heshamfarouk5162]

Great Vedo...

[@slickstretch6391]

It's like a flying control tower.

[@jimdavenport8020]

The USAF has been anticipating doing the AWACS mission via 'Space Based Radar' for thirty years that I am aware of. And it doesn't work yet.

[@1teamski]

A no brainer! The fact that someone else paid for development is a huge plus.

[@Parkhill57]

The radar is older than your teenager, getting ready to go into the Army! Radars are available today that are much improved. The 737 got so squirrelly with that blade on the back, they had to add strakes to keep it stable.

[@Meowface.]

Trouble with satellites is the enemy can track where it will be years into the future They’ll know the exact location in the sky at the exact time Electronic warfare is advancing at a pace we probably only imagine a fraction of its current potential.

[@franklinhadick2866]

How does this one (E-7a) compare to the Japanese Awacs on the 767.

[@janreznak881]

Nice target. Can’t wait.

[@jvee2901]

In 8 years, never saw an AWACS. Saw snoopy on Guam.

[@hinnantp]

I noticed much of the video of the inside of the E-3 were the NATO AWACS version. Served their 94-99

[@kdrapertrucker]

Additional advantages that the wedgetail would share many parts and components with the Navy P-8.

[@cliffhigson7581]

Fast forward to March 2023 & Boeing announced a initial $1.7 billion order for the plane during the Avalon airshow here in Australia overnight.

[@terencerucker3244]

I see that the Wedgetail can also scan battleships. That is some trick since the last battleship was decommissioned years ago!

[@devonlord99]

We're coming for USS New Jersey and there's nothing you can do about it!!!

[@skipsteel]

It's about time, because this should have been done decades ago. It's a win, win, start converting Max's pronto! While your at it a little self protection like a couple omni directional Long Long Range AMRAAMs.

[@denzelpardillo1181]

Why not use the japanese 767 platform and incorporate the radar suite of the Australian wedgetail?

[@_Breakdown]

4:06 - - USAF wants to migrate airborne moving target indicator mission (E3 performs) to space-based platforms; (service lacks operational capability to perform that mission from space). 4:25 - - conducting effective airborne moving target indicter missions + tactical command+control requires continuity of tracking - - constant updates of the location, altitude + bearing of airborne targets.

[@USMilitary_Defense]

New Spirit!

[@EpicThe112]

If the 737 Next Generation production were to end the logical step is using B737max 10 as the base for E-7 Awacs USAF then Max 7 is going to be C-40C Clipper B747-8 is VC-25B

[@kyberwolfuk]

Unfortunately won't be Based at RAF Waddington the current home of the E3D and other ISTAR Assets.

[@dcentral]

Why not a smaller, cost effective platform like Gulfstream G550 that U.S. Navy acquired and some air forces are using for AWACS?

[@engchoontan8483]

If the general-dynamics gulfstream leer-jet jeer-jet g550 private-jet can long-cruise 10'000 miles(mach-0.8) and loiter for some-hours, gets toilet upgrades and MRE-galley-trolley... will this replacement be valid.? There had been a paradigm-shift in flying and operational parameters for private-jets.

[@NFRRoblox5467]

E-7a has quite the buzzsaw!

[@Brommear]

Apart from all other considerations, fuel costs will be a lot lower and trained pilots easier to find.

[@josephnoneofyourbeeswax8517]

I don't know much. But it seems to me that a stealth ability in any airborne warning and control system would be a good thing. And I love the space shuttle but using its image in this video is more than antiquated. Might location of the antenna below the plane have benefits?

[@kenreckless9845]

There's not much point in building a large stealth aircraft if you want it to be blatting away with a powerful (and therefore detectable) radar. Just saying...

[@fuzzelf]

Because the targets AWACS is tracking will not normally be close to it, they have little need to look under itself. Also it would be impossible to land with that radome under the plane. They do have big antannas on its side.

[@cesaravegah3787]

Do you see the thing on the plane roof? It emits extremly powerful electromagnetic radiation, is called radar signal and is kind of the reason the plane was designed, that and the radio signals needed to coordínate other planes, if you think that there is a way to do that while being stealthy you will get a Nobel prize....or a nice straightkacket.

[@cjmatulka8321]

Now that you're into the wedge design you can ditch the vertical tail stabilizer no? Eliminate the redundancies.

[@tinto278]

E-7A Wedgetail does a lot more then the AWACS mission of the E-3 Sentry. Americans saw all that in Syria conflict. 👍👍👍👍

[@MiltarySection]

So my question to you guys is that if we buy these do we get the radars too along with the plane or do we implement our own radars? Because if it is all in one, we should definitely buy as many as possible as soon as possible. These planes sound like a cheat code in the air!

[@richardthomson4693]

Its a northrop Grumman MESA radar, not sure why USAF would want to change it

[@BeerGutGuy]

why don't they develop an updated version of the Wedgetail based on 777 or 787 airframe, surely this wouldn't be a significant project and would provide greater future proofing.

[@yunassaxer7119]

great!

[@JBSmoke1]

The E-3 is definitely long in the tooth. It has served proudly. Technology has marched on and it's time to replace it. I imagine the capabilities will be greatly enhanced, and the airframe maintenance cost considerably less than the E-3

[@will16320]

_slaps roof_ : You have any idea how much intel can fit in this bad boy?

[@Erikkmachowek.]

Boeing is already building one for the airforce right now

[@realufosbykeithchapman3638]

Put a rear viewing helmet in the back and slap a minigun coming out of the fuselage splash

[@ThisFinalHandle]

Having best fighters and the worst overwatch is like having the fastest racecar without a pit crew.

[@Amazingnature422]

when it rains then an umbrella on it is very necessary

[@davidhoffman1278]

Come on, give us some room to grow, put the Wedgetail hardware into a 777 or 747-8 and give plenty of space and electrical power capabilities for the future.

[@B52Stratofortress1]

An aircraft that size can only land on the longest of runways and isn't as flexible as a smaller type. The 737 based aircraft I think would be sufficient, but if a larger frame is needed then the 767 is still in production and a variant of the KC-46 frame could be adapted.

[@beverlychmelik5504]

I'm sure that the AF will find a way to mess this up.

[@jamespseaman4136]

How well does it operate! Does it have any drawbacks?

[@derekheuring2984]

Yes, Heaven forbid we should keep aging airframes flightworthy said the B52 crew.

[@kenhull1245]

This really is a no-brainer. Replace the airframe with 2 engines versus 4 (maintenance and fuel cost savings). Update with current electronics for integration with existing platforms. All maintenance would be off the shelf with the common fleet of aircraft worldwide.

[@winstonsmith478]

US Air Force will buy E-7 Wedgetail in 2022, Boeing exec claims - 13 Nov 2021

[@ThatCarGuy]

"US Air Force’s top general won’t commit to Wedgetail Despite interest in acquiring the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail to replace the Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft from some corners of the US Air Force (USAF), at the Air Force Association’s virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium, US Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, Jr said he wasn’t ready to commit to the aircraft."

[@jaredkimblesir_angel0292]

Here an idea use the Global hawk as a awacs. Put a roughly smallwr radome on top.

[@verdebusterAP]

The USAF has kinda of unique problem to deal with it The E-3 is just than just AWACS, you have KC-135s, RC-135s and WC-135s. In short that USAF fills a lot roles with the B 707 base line aircraft They will likely reject the 737 airframe and opt mount on the package on B-767-ER which is the basics for the KC-46 By using the B-767-ER from KC-46 , they get the same commonality they had with the B-707 If they go with the E-7, it will likely be placeholder I dont see the 737-NG holding all the sensors that RC-135s uses

[@unfurling3129]

@@verdebusterAP Some RC-135 sensor suite duties are already performed from space platforms and more to come.

[@verdebusterAP]

@@unfurling3129 Space doesnt do the same as aircraft

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

The good thing about aircraft like this is that airliners can be converted to these standards. Saving money.

[@DontUputThatEvilOnMe]

I would assume the wedge tail is much more cost effective. It’s just a common 737-700

[@erickagustin-ym1hb]

The function also is like AWACS

[@andreww1225]

we have enough planes being developed this would save money and we need more of that.

[@danenakasone3547]

Working on it. Now.

[@Pyramidalist]

I hope you have solutions against electronical war ... yamming ...

[@randymichel459]

Why use the 737 when the 767 platform would offer more range?

[@fuzzelf]

Ariel refilling nullifies most aspects of limited 'range'.

[@JOKER-lr8df]

nice

[@elijahhodges4405]

In 1973 I joined the USS Ranger CV-61 at Alameda, California. The USS Ranger had a twin propeller version of the AWACS aboard. It was a secure system. You could be shot trying to enter it if you didn't belong aboard. It was always fun watching that plane take off with its dish standing tall.

[@unfurling3129]

E-2 Hawkeye, much-loved & still going strong

[@dennisnguyen8105]

Oops! Boeing forgot to tighten the bolts on the Wedgetail's radar. Sorry about that!

[@NFRRoblox5467]

The Sentry E-3 is kinda like a Boeing 707 but the difference is it has that hard parashute that moves sometimes