The Royal Air Force (RAF)’s first E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft has had its livery revealed.
The aircraft, registration WT001, has left the paint booth at Southend Airport in the markings of VIII Squadron, which will operate the new aircraft in service.
According to the RAF, “the VIII Squadron emblem, a sheathed Arabian dagger known as a Jambiya, was adopted in recognition of the Squadron’s long association with Arabia. The weapon is sheathed to symbolise the squadron’s guardian duties and was approved by King George VI in December 1943.”
In addition to the RAF markings, the Boeing E-7 also carries the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&CF) emblem.
The military alliance has also selected the E-7 Wedgetail as its next command and control aircraft. In both cases, it replaces the four-engine E-3 Sentry.
“Seeing the first UK Wedgetail, painted, with a visual representation of No.8 Squadron’s history is an exciting moment in the journey towards operational capability for the squadron, for RAF Lossiemouth and the RAF,” Wing Commander McDonnell
Officer Commanding VIII Squadron.
With its synthetic aperture radar mounted on the fuselage, the Wedgetail dispenses with the circular, movable radome seen on the E-3.
The aircraft is based on the 737-700 and was originally chosen by Australia. Countries such as Turkey and South Korea have since selected the E-7 for the “radar aircraft” role.
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) recently decided to adopt the Wedgetail and awarded a fast-track contract to Boeing.
The RAF will have three E-7 Wedgetails based at Lossiemouth in Scotland. The aircraft are being converted by STS Aviation Services in Birmingham.
