The event saw the company’s flight test team conduct functional checks of the system before its launch.

The plane will undergo additional live assessments as part of the program’s primary evaluation phase this autumn.

Boeing will also send the aircraft to another center that will finalize the hull’s livery outfitting.

“This safe and systematic Functional Check Flight is an important step for Boeing and the RAF as part of our rigorous and extensive testing and evaluation,” Boeing VP and E-7 Program Manager Stu Voboril remarked.

“Our team is committed to ensuring the E-7 delivers the safety, quality, and capabilities we’ve promised to our customer as we prepare for delivery of the UK’s first E-7 Wedgetail to the RAF.”

‘Significant Milestone’

Boeing accepted the contract to build five E-7s in 2019 to replace the British government’s decommissioned E-3 Sentry fleet, which operated for the same purpose since the 1990s.

The $1.98-billion planes are set to achieve operational capability by 2025.

“This first flight marks a significant milestone for the programme and for our team who have worked tirelessly with our partners to progress what is a hugely complex endeavour,” UK Defence Equipment & Support Director Richard Murray commented on the latest trial.

“We are moving forward and will be delivering this critical capability to the RAF.”

Local E-7 Development Centers Now Ready

The UK’s Wedgetail initiative involved the construction of hangars in Lossiemouth, Scotland, last year to support the Wedgetail’s in-country engineering works.

The site will house works for the three upcoming E-7s as well as other military aircraft once the program concludes.

London announced the inauguration of the $103-million center in September 2024. It will be managed by over 175 on-site personnel at the project’s peak, according to the government.

“We’re proud of the robust E-7 modification line we’ve stood up in the UK to deliver the RAF’s future Airborne Early Warning & Control fleet,” Boeing UK, Ireland and the Nordics President Maria Laine commented.

“We are committed to delivering this crucial capability to support the UK’s national security and contribute toward regional stability.”

Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail

The E-7 Wedgetail has a 34-meter (112-foot) fuselage and a 36-meter (118-foot) wingspan.

It is flown by two pilots, with functions run by up to 10 mission personnel. In 2022, the UK’s first E-7 platform received its main sensor suite.

The Wedgetail is powered by turbofans for a range of 6,500 kilometers (4,039 miles), a speed of  853 kilometers (530 miles) per hour, and a service ceiling of 12,500 meters (41,011 feet).

The post Boeing Completes Maiden Flight of Future British Wedgetail Early Warning Aircraft appeared first on The Defense Post.

The delivery comes just five months after the country received its penultimate GlobalEye aircraft at the Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi.

According to Saab business area head for surveillance Carl-Johan Bergholm, completing the delivery in under 10 years underscores the company’s position as a “leading provider” of AEW&C platforms.

Deliveries of the GlobalEye to the UAE began in 2020 after five years of production and flight testing.

‘Multi-Domain Platform’

Saab is pitching its GlobalEye as an “advanced, multi-domain solution” capable of long-range threat detection and identification.

It features active and passive sensors that provide real-time information to units on the ground, at sea, or in the air.

The aircraft can operate for up to 11 hours at 35,000 feet (10,668 meters) while detecting threats as low as 200 feet (61 meters).

Its primary goal is to enhance the situational awareness of military units in high-threat environments.

Currently, the UAE Air Force is the only confirmed operator of the AEW&C aircraft.

Sweden has placed an order for three aircraft, with deliveries expected between 2024 and 2029.

The post Saab Concludes GlobalEye Early Warning Aircraft Deliveries to UAE appeared first on The Defense Post.

The $16-million deal orders the company’s proprietary CORE 4.0 devices, which will upgrade the E-2D’s external networking systems into software-based connectivity.

The equipment will employ a tactical edge network targeting a contested long-range environment or TENTaCLE architecture to bolster the aircraft’s network resiliency, according to the navy.

“As an advanced, small-Size, Weight, and Power – Cooling router, CORE 4.0 improves reliability and maintainability for the platform by replacing bulky and obsolete routers while simultaneously hosting applications that enhance E-2D mission capabilities,” US Navy E-2D Systems Engineering Assistant Program Manager Shawn Thompson explained.

Integration of a new virtualized network into the platform aligns with the navy’s fifth iteration of the continuous Delta System Software Configuration effort to sustain the platform’s operability for modern warfare.

“CORE 4.0 will help the E-2D quickly adapt to evolving network architectures as well as provide a means for rapid deployment of new tactical applications,” Thompson added.

“CORE 4.0 enables an additional layer of cyber-security for the platform by hosting new firewall applications as part of the Beyond Line-of-Sight upgrade program for the E-2D.”

The E-2D Aircraft

Developed by Northrop Grumman, the US Navy’s E-2D has a length of 57.8 feet (17.6 meters) and a wingspan of 80.7 feet (24.5 meters).

It is operated by two pilots and up to four mission systems personnel, and is powered by twin 5,100-horsepower Rolls-Royce turboprop engines.

The platform can reach altitudes up to 37,000 feet (11,278 meters) and speeds over 300 knots (555.6 kilometers/345 miles per hour).

The post US Navy Procures New Routers for Advanced Hawkeye Early Warning Aircraft appeared first on The Defense Post.

A recent US Department of Defense (DoD) announcement states that the company will produce nine new Hawkeyes: four for the navy and five for Tokyo.

It will also provide associated support services to both customers.

Most work for the contract will be performed in Florida, with an estimated completion date of March 2029.

In 2023, the US State Department approved the foreign military sale to Japan of five E-2D Hawkeyes and related equipment for $1.4 billion.

But the deal recently announced by the US DoD indicated that Tokyo will only pay about half of the estimated amount, or $766.6 million.

No specific reason was provided for the apparent cost reduction.

‘Digital Quarterback’

The E-2D Hawkeye is a tactical airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft that first flew in 2007 and entered military service in 2010.

It is dubbed the “digital quarterback” of the US Navy because of its ability to sweep ahead of strikes, effectively manage missions, and keep battle groups out of harm’s way.

Thanks to its sophisticated radars and sensors, the aircraft can provide warfighters with expanded battlespace awareness.

It boasts a fully integrated tactical cockpit, advanced identification friend-or-foe system, electronic support measures, and modernized communications and data link suite.

Powered by two Rolls Royce turboprop engines, the Hawkeye can travel as far as 1,462 nautical miles (1,682 miles/2,707 kilometers) at speeds reaching 350 knots (648 kilometers/402 miles per hour).

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency previously said the AEW&C aircraft will help improve Japan’s ability to effectively provide homeland defense and monitor the Pacific region.

The post Northrop Wins $1.5B E-2D Hawkeye Contract for US Navy, Japan appeared first on The Defense Post.

US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters at an air show in England that the service finally “got a reasonable price point” for the jets after bringing in a brokering expert.

“We have reached [an] agreement with them,” he said. “What we did was we brought back a former colleague of mine … to negotiate with Boeing and to drive to closure on the program: Mr. Shay Assad.”

Kendall said the two entities have yet to formally discuss the terms of the contract but expect everything to be finalized next month.

The E-7 is a combat-proven, twin-engine aircraft set to replace the US Air Force’s aging E-3 Sentry AEW&C fleet.

Price Negotiation

The announcement means that the US Air Force and Boeing have finally resolved months of tedious negotiations that stem from the service’s special requirements for the E-7.

The air force reportedly wanted US-specific features, such as open mission systems architecture and an enhanced global positioning system.

It also requested a modified design for the Wedgetail to meet US satellite communications requirements.

“They (negotiations) have been hard,” Kendall told Defense News. “There are some reasons for the price to go up, but the degree to which it was going to go up originally was unacceptable.”

The US Air Force plans to procure up to 26 E-7s by 2032.

Legal Battle

Reaching an agreement with the US despite its ongoing legal battles is a major milestone for Boeing.

Earlier this month, the company agreed to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud the US Federal Aviation Administration in relation to fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving its 737 Max.

The E-7 is based on the 737 Next Generation aircraft, the predecessor of the troubled 737 MAX.

Military experts told Reuters that the guilty plea could affect Boeing’s ability to secure more contracts from American agencies, such as the Department of Defense.

But Kendall quickly debunked the claim, saying he does not believe that the legal battles will lead to “significant disruption of our contracting.”

The post US Air Force, Boeing Finally Reach E-7 Wedgetail Deal appeared first on The Defense Post.

State-owned RIA news agency recently published a video showing a weapons expert examining what was said to be an intact guidance and flight correction system from the US-manufactured weapon.

It claimed that the cutting-edge technology was obtained after Moscow’s forces shot down a long-range ATACMS missile fired from Ukrainian territory.

In the video, the unidentified weapons expert showed the label on the back of the alleged GPS guidance system, which indicated that it came from a US Army store in Alabama.

He said that the seized ATACMS component will allow Russia to study how the missiles are controlled mid-flight.

Identifying Weak Spots

Retired Russian Army officer and military analyst Viktor Litovkin said reverse-engineering the alleged ATACMS component could allow Russia to identify the weapon’s weaknesses.

This could also provide the invading forces with enough data to develop an effective countermeasure.

At the end of the analysis, Litovkin disclosed that Russian scientists may be expected to issue recommendations on improving the country’s missile defense systems or its jamming capabilities.

“The military will use this information to attack these missiles and the launchers that fire these missiles. It is possible that after studying this missile, [Russia] would be able to discover the launch areas and location of these missiles faster,” he added.

‘No Longer a Secret’

The US has provided Ukraine with ATACMS to strike Russian facilities and troop concentrations hundreds of miles away from the frontline.

The decision was not easy, as Washington had long been reluctant to provide Kyiv with sophisticated long-range weapons over concerns that they could be used to target deep into Russia or that the invading forces could capture and reverse-engineer them.

But with Moscow’s recent claim, Litovkin said the European nation may be sending a strong message that Western military technology “is no longer a secret for us.”

“We have shown everyone that we have found an ‘antidote’ to the most vaunted and promoted Western types of military equipment, and we are using it effectively,” he stated.

The post Russia Allegedly Obtains Key Component of US-Made ATACMS appeared first on The Defense Post.

The deal is part of an option included in Saab’s contract with the country signed in 2022, detailing the order of two GlobalEye planes.

Production of the new aircraft is scheduled to run from 2024 to 2029.

“We are proud to contribute to Sweden’s defence with another GlobalEye aircraft, which will provide unique situational awareness of the surroundings as well the capability of early detection and warning of potential threats in the air, at sea or on land,” Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson shared.

Sweden’s first two GlobalEyes are currently being developed at Saab’s Gothenburg, Linköping, Järfälla, Arboga, and Luleå facilities.

Observing the Skies

The GlobalEye is fitted with long-range active and passive sensors, allowing it to identify objects in the air at distances exceeding 285 miles (458 kilometers).

Its Erieye extended-range radar expands its detection distance and helps it work in severe clutter and jamming conditions, while its AESA radar focuses on areas and targets of interest.

Its only current user is the UAE, which operates four of the surveillance craft. The latest was handed over by Saab in April. Canada, France, and Greece are currently in talks to integrate the GlobalEye into their forces.

The post Sweden Orders Third GlobalEye Surveillance Aircraft From Saab appeared first on The Defense Post.

The new platform was transferred to the UAE Air Force at the Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi.

The order marks the penultimate delivery in an agreement signed in 2015 for the first three GlobalEye systems, followed by an additional order for two more in 2021.

“The high delivery pace in the GlobalEye programme is testament to our unique in-house capability which means we control the entire process, from development to integration,” Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson said.

The handover date for the final unit is yet to be announced.

Supporting UAE’s AEW&C Posture

Saab has also won the three-year, $190-million service support contract for Abu Dhabi’s GlobalEye planes.

Announced in January, the contract details the Swedish company’s maintenance, logistics, and training support for the program.

Saab Surveillance business head Carl-Johan Bergholm said the deal underlines the company’s role in keeping GlobalEyes’ mission-ready status.

The UAE is currently the sole operator of the aircraft. However, Sweden, Canada, and France have shown interest in the platform.

The post Saab Delivers Fourth GlobalEye AEW&C Aircraft to UAE appeared first on The Defense Post.

The handover is part of an 83 million pound ($103 million) project signed with Boeing in 2023 to build a new center that will house the Royal Air Force’s forthcoming E-7 fleet.

Under the Wedgetail hub’s development, Boeing teams with Northern Ireland-based McLaughlin & Harvey for the technical infrastructure works and Scottish firm Simmers Contracts for the associated supply materials.

The British government received 7,000-square-meter (75,000-square-foot) cladding for the E-7 maintenance and mission systems training buildings in addition to the recent steel delivery.

McLaughlin & Harvey wrote that the 100-million-pound ($124 million) mission systems training center is now being completed and will be located adjacent to the Lossiemouth’s existing P-8A Poseidon hangar.

The overall E-7 infrastructure program will conclude in early 2025, the government wrote.

“Boeing leverages the strength of its local supply chain to support the communities where we are proud to live and work,” Boeing Defence UK Managing Director Steve Burnell stated.

“Through our relationship with Mclaughlin & Harvey, we are pleased to have Simmers Contracts play a pivotal role in the construction of the new facilities for the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, as we continue to work with the RAF to prepare the fleet’s entry into service.”

The E-7 Wedgetail

Boeing was awarded the order for the Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft in 2019. It will replace the Royal Air Force’s E-3 Sentry spy planes, which have been in service since the 1990s.

The E-7 Wedgetail measures 33.6 meters (110 feet) and has a wingspan of 35.6 meters (117 feet).

It is powered by two turbofans for a maximum speed of 853 kilometers (530 miles) per hour and a range of more than 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles).

It is operated by two pilots and can carry up to 10 mission personnel.

In 2022, the first British Wedgetail under development received a multi-role electronically scanned array sensor, which will function as the aircraft’s primary surveillance solution.

The post Local Industry Supplies Steel for Construction of UK Wedgetail Facility appeared first on The Defense Post.

As part of the multimillion-dollar deal, the Swedish firm will provide maintenance and logistics support, along with training services, for a period of three years.

According to Saab official Carl-Johan Bergholm, the contract will solidify the company’s role in ensuring the GlobalEye remains mission-ready for years to come.

“We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with the UAE Air Force and Air Defence and providing long-term local support,” he said in a press release.

The UAE is the first operator of the multi-domain surveillance platform, having received its first aircraft in April 2020.

Providing Enhanced Situational Awareness

First launched in 2016, Saab’s GlobalEye is based on the Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft.

It offers long-range detection and identification of objects, thanks to an array of active and passive sensors.

The aircraft also has an advanced radar that can track aerial targets of any size, including small waterborne craft, submarine periscopes, or cruise missiles.

It boasts a maximum endurance of 11 hours, and can operate from short runways.

The latest contract with Saab is expected to bolster the capabilities of the GlobalEye, allowing it to provide enhanced situational awareness for the UAE Air Force.

The post Saab Wins GlobalEye Early Warning Aircraft Support Contract From UAE appeared first on The Defense Post.