Boeing rolls out second Wedgetail for UK

A screenshot from a Boeing UK video published on 26 August 2026 showing the second of three E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft for the RAF having received its operational paint scheme and livery. (Boeing)

The second of three Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning Mk 1 (AEW1) aircraft for the United Kingdom was rolled out in its full livery by Boeing on 26 August 2026.

Having received its operational paint scheme and markings of 8 Squadron, aircraft WT002 will now join WT001 at the Wedgetail's homebase at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lossiemouth in Scotland.

Conversion of the three 737 NG airframes into Wedgetail AEW1 platforms began in November 2020, with the aircraft being inducted into STS Aviation Services' line in Birmingham, England. This conversion process involved the mating of the Northrop Grumman Multirole Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar with the aircraft, as well as the fitting of the mission and military systems.

Replacing the Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 that was retired in 2021, the Wedgetail's active electronically scanned array (AESA) MESA radar provides 360° coverage at ranges in excess of 322 km for aerial targets, and 241 km for patrol boat-sized surface contacts across an area of 4 million km² (these ranges can be significantly increased if the radar's power is focused in a particular direction rather than applied in a general sweep). The aircraft has two flight crew as well as 10 mission crew stations for air battle managers and other system operators. It has an endurance of 10 hours, and can be aerial refuelled in RAF service via allied boom-equipped tankers.

With operational test and evaluation (OT&E) duties ongoing, the type's formal entry into service is scheduled for later in 2026.

For more, please seeFirst Wedgetail for UK makes maiden flight