Boeing UK has rolled out the second E-7A Wedgetail aircraft for the Royal Air Force in its full operational livery, as reported on the company’s X account.
The aircraft, designated WT002, has received the markings of No. 8 Squadron and will join the first UK Wedgetail, WT001, at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. Boeing UK said on 26 August that WT002 was “fresh out of paint.”
The UK is acquiring three E-7A Wedgetails to replace the retired E-3D Sentry AEW1 fleet. Conversion of the aircraft, based on Boeing 737 Next Generation airframes, began in 2020 at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham.
The Wedgetail is equipped with Northrop Grumman’s MESA active electronically scanned array radar, providing 360-degree coverage and detecting aerial targets at ranges exceeding 322 km. The aircraft can remain airborne for up to 10 hours and carries two flight crew members and 10 mission crew stations for air battle managers and other operators.
Earlier this month, Boeing delivered the third T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet to the U.S. Air Force.