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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      An artist's depiction shows an E-7A in flight. The E-7A is the Department of Defense's future tactical battle management, command and control and moving target indication platform scheduled to replace the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System. (Courtesy photo)An artist's depiction shows an E-7A in flight. The E-7A is the Department of Defense's future tactical battle management, command and control and moving target indication platform scheduled to replace the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System. (Courtesy photo)
                
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Air Force awards E-7A prototype contractPublished Feb. 28, 2023
                    
                    
                    Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
            **ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --**The Department of the Air Force awarded The Boeing Company a contract to begin work on the E-7A weapon system Feb 28. The value of this initial contract will not exceed $1.2 billion. 
 
The DAF **selected the E-7A** to replace the **E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System**. The E-7A will provide advanced Airborne Moving Target Indication and Battle Management, Command and Control capabilities, and advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array radar that enhances airborne battle management and enables long-range kill chains with potential peer adversaries. 
 
In fiscal year 2022, the DAF selected the E-7A to replace the E-3 AWACS and established an E-7A Program Management Office. The DAF is using the rapid prototyping acquisition pathway to acquire the first two E-7As. 
 
"The E-7A will be the department's principal airborne sensor for detecting, identifying, tracking, and reporting all airborne activity to Joint Force commanders," said **Andrew Hunter**, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. "This contract award is a critical step in ensuring that the department continues delivering battlespace awareness and management capabilities to U.S. warfighters, allies and partners for the next several decades. The E-7A will enable greater airborne battlespace awareness through its precise, real-time air picture and will be able to control and direct individual aircraft under a wide range of environmental and operational conditions." 
 
The USAF plans to begin production in fiscal 2025, with the first E-7A expected to be fielded by fiscal 2027. The service anticipates procuring 24 additional E-7As by fiscal 2032. The E-7A total aircraft inventory is projected to be 26. 
 
The ongoing modernization of the E-3 AWACS meets the intent of the **2022 National Defense Strategy** by continuing worldwide Battle Management, Command and Control and Airborne Moving Target Indication Operations as required by the DAF. 
 
"We conducted a thorough analysis of viable industry options to ensure the selected E-3 replacement could meet the specific needs of the U.S. Until the E-7A is fielded, we will continue to rely on the E-3 AWACS," Hunter said. "The rapid prototyping program will integrate U.S.-based mission systems into the existing airborne platform to meet DAF requirements while simultaneously ensuring interoperability with coalition and allied partners already operating the E-7A."LR 



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