Boeing has completed the first functional flight of the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail, a development in the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) advanced Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) programme. The unpainted aircraft is one of three being modified in Birmingham.

The first of three Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft ordered by the Royal Air Force completed its first test flight on Sept. 20, 2024 following conversion at Birmingham International Airport.

Boeing announced in a press release that it has just completed the first flight of the United Kingdom's E-7 Wedgetail AWACS aircraft destined for the Royal Air Force . The E-7 Wedgetail is also planned to be the United States Air Force's partial replacement for the aging E-3 Sentry.

Boeing has completed the first flight of a UK Royal Air Force (RAF) E-7 Wedgetail and conducted functional checks marking a significant milestone in the programme’s test and evaluation phase.

Three Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft for the RAF have been equipped to detect and identify enemy targets and track multiple airborne and maritime threats.

Currently unpainted, the aircraft is one of three 737NGs on British soil undergoing modification by a team of over 100 people at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham.

Boeing in the UK completed the first flight of the UK's E-7 Wedgetail for the Royal Air Force (RAF). A Boeing flight-test crew conducted functional checks during the first flight from Birmingham Airport, marking a significant milestone in the program's test and evaluation phase.

Boeing has completed the first flight of the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail being procured by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Courtesy Boeing / MoD Crown Copyright A Boeing flight-test crew conducted functional checks during the first flight from Birmingham Airport,