UK in talks to buy E-7 Wedgetail aircraft

The UK has begun talks with Boeing to replace its fleet of ageing E-3 Sentry surveillance planes with the U.S. aerospace group’s more modern E-7 Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft

E-7 WEDGETAIL: Based on standard Boeing 737-700 airliner

Cabin: Ten mission crew consoles can track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously

Electronically scanned radar
Can cover four million sq km during 10-hour mission

Landing gear: Includes extra structural components due to weight of radar

Powerplant: Two CFM56-7 turbofans, 118kN thrust each

Ventral fins: Provide aerodynamic balance to offset effect of radar

Royal Australian Air Force E-7 shown

RADAR COVERAGE: E-7 uses more modern electronic scanning, allowing radar energy to be directed, unlike mechanical scanning of older E-3 aircraft

(Not to scale)

E-7
Uniform 360° coverage
Radar range in excess of 370km

Threat  sector
Sector emphasis
Energy channelled for extended range

Focused beam
Radar revisit
Power reprioritised to track targets of interest

COMPARISON                   Boeing E-7 Wedgetail    Boeing E-3 Sentry
Length (m)                          33.6                   46.6
Crew size                    2 flight, 10 mission   5 flight, 13 mission
Maximum take-off weight (kg)       77,565                 151,636
Cruising speed (km/h)               760                     890
Range (km)                         7,040                   8,046
Operating altitude (m)             12,500                  13,106
Entered service                     2009                    1991


© GRAPHIC NEWS
Sources: Financial Times, Northrop Grumman, Royal Australian Air Force