The last of three Boeing 737s destined to become the next generation of RAF E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) touched down on UK Soil on July 14.
The aircraft flew from Boeing’s factory in Seattle and landed at Birmingham international airport, the aircraft was sent straight to the hangar of Boeing’s partner within the RAF E-7 programme, STS Aerospace. This partnership had to be set up rapidly using previous know-how from Boeing and Australia who operate the E-7.
Boeing did apparenlty reach out to UK Aerospace company, Marshall in Cambridge, but Anna Keeling, vice president and managing director Boeing Defence UK stated "it simply did not work out". Both the RAF and Boeing mentioned in the press brief that they were extremely pleased with STS income and performance into the programme so far.
The first 737 arrived in the UK at Birmingham Airport in September 2021, STS Aerospace are responsible for the modification of the three Boeing 737s, two prebuilt Boeing Business Jets and one newbuild of the factory production line to E-7 Wedgetails for the RAF.
This modification includes the complex fitting of the top of the range Northrop Grumman Mesa sensor currently being tested and developed in Maryland, US. As N…
