Pentagon Reverses Course on E-7 Radar Aircraft Funding Amid Congressional Pressure
The Pentagon has announced a shift in its fiscal strategy, now seeking funding for the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft in its Fiscal Year 2027 budget. This change comes after previous plans to exclude the E-7 from the budget, which had sparked concerns about a potential capability gap in the U.S. Air Force's fleet. The E-7 is intended to replace the aging E-3 Sentry jets, which have been under strain due to recent conflicts, including an Iranian attack that destroyed one of the aircraft. Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had initially advocated for the program's cancellation, acknowledged the need to fill existing capability gaps and has submitted a budget amendment to the Office of Management and Budget to include the E-7. The Air Force has already contracted Boeing for seven developmental E-7s, with a U.S.-specific configuration in development. 
