The UK’s first Boeing E-7 Wedgetail has made its debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in a world-first flypast with the RAF Red Arrows.
The Boeing E-Wedgetail AEW Mk1 is the RAF’s latest airborne early warning aircraft and is based on the Boeing 737 airliner. It is currently being prepared for service at Birmingham Airport, from where it flew into Fairford today.
After a flypast with the Red Arrows, the aircraft performed a touch-and-go before departing back to Birmingham.
Group Captain Osselton, Programme Director for the E-7 Programme, said: “The Wedgetail appearance at RIAT not only reinforces the hard work and collaboration of all those contributing to the project but also reflects the importance of delivering the next generation of airborne surveillance and control capabilities to support the RAF’s operational effectiveness in the years to come.”
Stu Voboril. Boeing Vice President and E-7 Program Manager, added: “Today’s flight is an amazing testament to the work of our integrated Boeing and UK supplier team, in partnership with the RAF. Our work reflects the pride we take in supporting the strategic alliance among the UK, U.S., and allies, and the role the E-7 plays in strengthening global joint force mission advantage.”
Around 50,000 people were on hand to witness the flypast of the first Wedgetail, which will go on to serve with 8 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. 8 Squadron previously operated the Boeing E3-D Sentry from RAF Waddington.
It isn’t the first Wedgetail to visit RIAT; that honour fell to the Royal Australian Air Force.
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