E-7

The E-7 Program is a United States Air Force (USAF) initiative designed to replace the aging E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s and is now considered unsustainable due to high maintenance costs and obsolescence. The primary goal of the E-7 program is to provide the USAF and Joint Services with a modern, reliable, and sustainable airborne command and control platform that can address current and emerging threats in the air domain.

The E-7 will serve as the principal airborne node for command and control, as well as for airborne moving target indication, supporting the Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) in complex operational environments.

The E-7A Aircraft is a highly modified version of the Boeing 737-700 Next Generation (737NG) airframe. It incorporates significant enhancements, including a reinforced Section 46 to support the installation of a Northrop Grumman Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar. This radar system is critical for detecting and tracking highly maneuverable and low radar cross-section airborne targets, which are characteristic of modern and emerging threats.

Additionally, the E-7A features two 180-kVA generators integrated with the commercial CFM-56 engines to provide the necessary power for advanced mission systems.

The Program Objectives focus on delivering a platform that is operationally available, maintainable, and sustainable over its lifecycle. The E-7 is intended to provide persistent situational awareness, real-time air picture creation, and robust battle management capabilities. These enhancements are justified by the need to maintain air superiority and effective command and control in increasingly contested and complex operational environments.

The E-7 will enable the USAF to process and disseminate information rapidly, thereby supporting timely and informed decision-making for joint and coalition forces.

Within the FY2025 and FY2026 budget cycles, a key objective is the procurement of Long Lead Materials necessary for the initial production of the E-7 aircraft. The budget includes a Congressional add specifically for these long lead items, which are essential components or subsystems that require extended manufacturing times and must be ordered in advance to support the planned production schedule. This advance procurement ensures that the program remains on track for timely delivery and fielding of the E-7 platform, minimizing schedule risks associated with supply chain delays.

The Budget Line Item E00700 also supports compliance with statutory requirements, including the execution of a full financial audit as mandated by Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. Additionally, funding may be allocated to address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues, life-of-type part buys, program management, and non-recurring redesign engineering. These activities are necessary to mitigate risks associated with the obsolescence of critical components and to ensure the long-term viability of the E-7 fleet.