Originally Posted by
Wensleydale
You all seem to forget that UK AEW is not tasked by the UK but by NATO. Most of the refuelling with Sentry is done by boom in commonality with the NATO E-3A. The requirement for the Sentry's replacement must take into account the commonality of capability with the NATO AEW&C Component of the AEW&C Force almost as much (if not more) than National consideration.
The commonality with NATO platforms is irrelevant. It’s all about capability and we’ve clearly made the decision to go down the E7 route. E3A and D are already worlds apart in terms of compatibility in many ways.
Wrt NATO AEW&C component, all they care about is having a sensor in the required location at a prescribed time. If it’s an E7, they won’t care.