UK orders Boeing E7...
5 for 3 radars fiasco really does sum up the complete and utter shambles that MoD procurement is.
Will they EVER learn? I guess not...
There is a P-8A named City of Elgin, perhaps the first E7 is going to have a name and the artist inadvertently let slip the surprise that it is going to be named City of Lincoln (as an homage to the old home of our AEW fleet)
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us...ir-chiefs-e-7/
The heads of the U.S., British, and Australian air forces signed a “joint vision statement” in a ground-breaking declaration of intent to co-develop the E-7 Wedgetail for airborne early warning and control, the U.S. Air Force announced July 17.
USAF did not immediately share details of the joint vision statement, but noted in a release that the deal will cover “Wedgetail capability development, evaluation and testing, interoperability, sustainment, operations, training, and safety.”
Cooperation could potentially accelerate USAF’s fielding of the Wedgetail—something both Air Force leaders and Congress has pushed as the aging E-3 AWACS fleet nears retirement. Current plans have the U.S. Air Force fielding its first of 26 E-7s in 2027.
The heads of the U.S., British, and Australian air forces signed a “joint vision statement” in a ground-breaking declaration of intent to co-develop the E-7 Wedgetail for airborne early warning and control, the U.S. Air Force announced July 17.
USAF did not immediately share details of the joint vision statement, but noted in a release that the deal will cover “Wedgetail capability development, evaluation and testing, interoperability, sustainment, operations, training, and safety.”
Cooperation could potentially accelerate USAF’s fielding of the Wedgetail—something both Air Force leaders and Congress has pushed as the aging E-3 AWACS fleet nears retirement. Current plans have the U.S. Air Force fielding its first of 26 E-7s in 2027.
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Says it all really about the Uk and its F***ed up procurement planning.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-in-new-report
At the center of the report’s criticism of the procurement is the fact that, as a result of a contract stipulation, the MoD is having to pay for all five Northrop Grumman Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radars, even though only three aircraft — which will be designated Wedgetail AEW1 in RAF service — are being acquired. The report assesses that the total cost of the three-aircraft order will be $2.5 billion, compared to the $2.7 billion agreed for five of the radar planes.
“Even basic arithmetic would suggest that ordering three E-7s rather than five (at some 90 [percent] of the original acquisition cost) represents extremely poor value for money,” the report contends.
The E-7 procurement is one of three major defense deals dealt with by the report, which comes at the end of a six-month inquiry. The Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigate for the Royal Navy and the Ajax armored fighting vehicle for the British Army also come in for criticism. Worryingly, the overall conclusion is that the U.K.’s defense procurement system is “broken” and that “multiple, successive reviews have not yet fixed it.”
Returning to the E-7 specifically, the Defense Committee points out that a three-aircraft fleet will also make them even more vulnerable to potential adversaries during conflicts. The report suggests that the tiny fleet will be a “prize target” for aggressors. Not only will the AEW&C aircraft play a critical role in any high-end air campaign, but also planes of this type are increasingly under threat from long-range air defenses and are far from survivable in any kind of contested airspace.
The U.K. Defense Committee is currently preparing a report on aviation procurement that “will likely examine the operational impact and alleged life-cycle savings” that come from buying three rather than five E-7s.
As it now stands, the three radar planes are undergoing conversion with STS Aviation Services in Birmingham, England. Here, the jets are transformed from commercial 737 airframes into fully equipped E-7s, with the MESA radar at the center of their mission suite.
Noteworthy is the fact that the first of the RAF E-7s will be a converted 737-700 Boeing Business Jet last operated by a Chinese airline. The choice of this 10-year-old, formerly Chinese-operated airframe has led to come concern, including from former high-ranking RAF officers.
“Even basic arithmetic would suggest that ordering three E-7s rather than five (at some 90 [percent] of the original acquisition cost) represents extremely poor value for money,” the report contends.
The E-7 procurement is one of three major defense deals dealt with by the report, which comes at the end of a six-month inquiry. The Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigate for the Royal Navy and the Ajax armored fighting vehicle for the British Army also come in for criticism. Worryingly, the overall conclusion is that the U.K.’s defense procurement system is “broken” and that “multiple, successive reviews have not yet fixed it.”
Returning to the E-7 specifically, the Defense Committee points out that a three-aircraft fleet will also make them even more vulnerable to potential adversaries during conflicts. The report suggests that the tiny fleet will be a “prize target” for aggressors. Not only will the AEW&C aircraft play a critical role in any high-end air campaign, but also planes of this type are increasingly under threat from long-range air defenses and are far from survivable in any kind of contested airspace.
The U.K. Defense Committee is currently preparing a report on aviation procurement that “will likely examine the operational impact and alleged life-cycle savings” that come from buying three rather than five E-7s.
As it now stands, the three radar planes are undergoing conversion with STS Aviation Services in Birmingham, England. Here, the jets are transformed from commercial 737 airframes into fully equipped E-7s, with the MESA radar at the center of their mission suite.
Noteworthy is the fact that the first of the RAF E-7s will be a converted 737-700 Boeing Business Jet last operated by a Chinese airline. The choice of this 10-year-old, formerly Chinese-operated airframe has led to come concern, including from former high-ranking RAF officers.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-in-new-report
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Perhaps it was an unintentional slip of the name of the first aircraft?
There is a P-8A named City of Elgin, perhaps the first E7 is going to have a name and the artist inadvertently let slip the surprise that it is going to be named City of Lincoln (as an homage to the old home of our AEW fleet)
There is a P-8A named City of Elgin, perhaps the first E7 is going to have a name and the artist inadvertently let slip the surprise that it is going to be named City of Lincoln (as an homage to the old home of our AEW fleet)
Ues, I'm aware of the 737 capability at Lossie.
If the P8 is FMS and the E7 is DMS that'll be interesting, but presumably the 'rules' won't actually apply when they work for the US hegemony.
Give me a b, give me a o, gimme an o, gimme an m.... No, really.
"Why this sudden interest in basing assets in Scotland..... One can only wonder."
perhaps because its the best place to operate them from?
perhaps because its the best place to operate them from?
How many of the E-3 mafia, assuming there are any/many left by the time the E-7 enters service, will be willing to move from Lincolnshire to northern Scotland?
Crew experience/retention issues?
Crew experience/retention issues?
With only three aircraft who would notice...................
8 Sqn designate qualifies on E-7
Anyhow a milestone has been reached
https://raf.mod.uk/news/articles/e-7...new-milestone/
The Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail AEW1 Programme has reached another milestone with Officer Commanding VIII Squadron (Designate), Wing Commander Sarah McDonnell, qualifying on type.
cheers
https://raf.mod.uk/news/articles/e-7...new-milestone/
The Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail AEW1 Programme has reached another milestone with Officer Commanding VIII Squadron (Designate), Wing Commander Sarah McDonnell, qualifying on type.
cheers
A rather dated looking 60 year old design which will already be second hand when its delivered.
Couldn't they at least find a green bag small enough to fit her boss?
Couldn't they at least find a green bag small enough to fit her boss?
they both look not a year over 45 to me Chevvron
Bloody Australians - coming over here - taking all our jobs....................... 
Why this sudden interest in basing assets in Scotland..... One can only wonder.
Ues, I'm aware of the 737 capability at Lossie.
If the P8 is FMS and the E7 is DMS that'll be interesting, but presumably the 'rules' won't actually apply when they work for the US hegemony.
Give me a b, give me a o, gimme an o, gimme an m.... No, really.
Ues, I'm aware of the 737 capability at Lossie.
If the P8 is FMS and the E7 is DMS that'll be interesting, but presumably the 'rules' won't actually apply when they work for the US hegemony.
Give me a b, give me a o, gimme an o, gimme an m.... No, really.