U.S. Air Force Awards $2.43B to Boeing for E‑7A Wedgetail Development to Replace AWACS Fleet

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing approximately $2.43 billion to advance the development of the E‑7A Wedgetail aircraft, designed to replace the aging E‑3 Sentry AWACS fleet. This funding includes a $2.34 billion contract for the E‑7A Rapid Prototype and a $99.3 million modification for the MESA radar, bringing total investment in the program to nearly $5 billion. The initiative aims to enhance airborne early warning capabilities, although the final number of aircraft to be procured has not been disclosed.

Published Mar 20, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing two contract modifications totaling about $2.43 billion to further develop the E‑7A Wedgetail aircraft, intended to replace the aging E‑3 Sentry AWACS fleet. The larger contract, valued at approximately $2.34 billion, is for the E‑7A Rapid Prototype, while a $99.3 million modification focuses on the MESA radar.

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This brings the total investment in the E‑7A program to nearly $5 billion, transitioning from rapid prototyping to engineering and manufacturing development. The final number of aircraft to be procured has not been specified, but the effort aims to enhance airborne early warning capabilities.