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A RAAF Wedgetail has been showcased at the 2025 Joint Base Andrews Air Show in Maryland, at a time when questions about the US Air Force acquisition of the platform remains up in the air.
The E-7A, which had flown out from joint exercises in California, was displayed at Andrews earlier this month between a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Super Galaxy. Air crew were on hand to explain the aircraft and how it serves Australia’s defence mission.
“They’ve been really intrigued with the mission that we conduct, and it’s been really cool to explain it,” said RAAF Squadron Leader Kieran Frost, Air Battle Manager.
“It’s been fantastic with the ability to show the jet off. We’ve been lucky to be the only – I believe – foreign aircraft on display here.”
Defence Connect previously reported in March how the federal government granted Boeing Defence Australia a $569 million contract to enhance the RAAF’s fleet of Wedgetails, which are based at Williamtown in NSW.
The aircraft is based on the Boeing 737-700 platform and incorporates a variety of aircraft control and advanced radar systems.
It combines long-range surveillance radar, secondary radar, and tactical/strategic voice and data communications systems to provide an airborne early warning and control platform.
During a standard mission, the E-7A Wedgetail can cover more than 4 million square kilometres, an area the size of Western Australia or the Northern Territory. It is capable of unlimited long-range deployment with in-flight refuelling.
The display of the RAAF’s Wedgetail at Andrews comes as the UK signs a deal to make Wedgetails in Britain.
The agreement between the UK government and Boeing will see more than 150 new positions established in Birmingham, with a further 190 jobs supported across the country.
The contract, worth more than £36 million ($73.7 million) to the UK economy, involves converting two Boeing 737 passenger aircraft into prototype Wedgetails for the US Air Force.
More than 40 UK suppliers are already engaged in the Wedgetail program, including local firms involved in building new engineering facilities at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.
The deal will also benefit US industry, with American defence companies contributing components to the global E-7 supply chain. Final assembly and testing of the aircraft will take place in the United States, supported by hundreds of American engineers and technicians.
The RAF’s own Wedgetail fleet is currently undergoing fit-out in Birmingham, with the first delivery scheduled for 2026.
