Boeing has successfully conducted the first flight of the United Kingdom’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, marking a significant achievement in the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) program to bolster its airborne early warning and control capabilities. The milestone flight, performed by a Boeing flight-test crew, took off from Birmingham Airport, carrying out essential functional checks as part of the rigorous test and evaluation phase.
The unpainted aircraft is one of three Boeing 737 Next Generation models undergoing modification on British soil. Over 100 skilled personnel at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham are responsible for transforming these aircraft into advanced E-7 Wedgetails, a process that includes installing state-of-the-art systems and technologies.
“This successful Functional Check Flight is a crucial step for both Boeing and the RAF as we progress through an extensive testing and evaluation phase. Our dedicated team is focused on ensuring that the E-7 meets the safety, quality, and capability standards promised to our customer as we prepare for its delivery,” said Stu Voboril, Boeing’s Vice President and E-7 Program Manager.
Group Captain Richard Osselton, RAF Programme Director for Wedgetail, emphasized the collaborative effort that made this achievement possible. “The first flight of the Wedgetail is a remarkable milestone, highlighting the tremendous work done by the RAF program team, DE&S, Boeing, and STS Aviation. We now look forward to building on this success as we continue the Test & Evaluation phase to ready the aircraft for operational service.”
The E-7 Wedgetail, renowned for its advanced surveillance capabilities, is equipped with the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor. This technology allows the aircraft to detect and track multiple airborne and maritime threats simultaneously, providing 360-degree coverage and essential multi-domain awareness for command-and-control operations.
Richard Murray, DE&S Director of Air Support, also acknowledged the program’s complexity and the dedication of all involved. “This first flight represents a major milestone for the program. Our team, in collaboration with our partners, has worked tirelessly to progress this complex endeavor. We are on track to deliver this critical capability to the RAF.”
The future UK E-7 fleet will be stationed at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, where infrastructure to support the aircraft’s introduction is nearing completion. This fleet will operate as part of a tri-lateral agreement involving the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and U.S. Air Force (USAF), focusing on interoperability, capability development, and shared operational practices.
“We’re proud of the robust E-7 modification line established in the UK to deliver the RAF’s future Airborne Early Warning & Control fleet. We are committed to providing this crucial capability to support the UK’s national security and contribute to regional stability,” stated Maria Laine, President of Boeing UK, Ireland, and the Nordics.
Currently, the E-7 Wedgetail is operational with the RAAF, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force. Boeing is also producing two prototype E-7s for the USAF, and NATO has selected the E-7 for its Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) mission, indicating the aircraft’s growing global presence.
Following a series of flight tests and further evaluations, the UK’s first E-7 Wedgetail will soon be sent to a paint facility to receive its distinctive RAF livery, moving one step closer to becoming fully operational.