Funding for the Air Force’s new E-7 Wedgetail radar jet has been included in a bipartisan agreement aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The deal, reached on Sunday, outlines a continuing resolution that will fund the government through January 30, 2024, and allocates nearly $200 million for “continued rapid prototyping activities” related to the E-7 program.
The inclusion of the E-7 funding is significant, particularly as the military has expressed intentions to reduce the program. This funding exception is part of a 31-page resolution that also addresses various other government programs. According to Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, this legislation is vital for national security: “I look forward to voting for this legislation and ending the unnecessary harm to the security of our families and our nation.”
Despite the positive development for the E-7 program, several procedural hurdles remain before the agreement is finalized. The funding for the radar jet represents a win for Boeing, which manufactures the Wedgetail, although a company spokesperson declined to comment on the recent measure. The Air Force has also not provided a response to inquiries regarding the funding.
The Congressional support for the E-7 contrasts sharply with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s criticisms of the aircraft’s survivability. In summer discussions, Hegseth described the E-7 as a platform that lacks effectiveness in modern combat scenarios. This sentiment aligns with the Air Force’s 2026 budget request, which proposed cutting funding for the program due to escalating costs and significant delays.
The E-7 was initially intended to replace the aging E-3 Sentry aircraft. A previous agreement between Boeing and the Air Force involved the delivery of two test planes by 2028 at a projected cost of $2.6 billion. This figure has increased by $884 million, representing a 33 percent rise, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.
Defense experts have noted that the inclusion of the E-7 funding may reflect Congressional concerns regarding the Space Force and its ability to swiftly deploy its Airborne Moving-Target Indication (AMTI) systems. Todd Harrison, a defense budget expert with the American Enterprise Institute, stated, “If it passes, this is a big win for Boeing, and it shows that many in Congress still have doubts about how quickly the Space Force can deploy the AMTI system.”
In September, the British government announced plans to construct the two prototypes of the E-7 in the United Kingdom, further demonstrating international interest in the program. The current funding situation indicates a complex relationship between military needs, Congressional support, and the evolving landscape of defense capabilities. As lawmakers continue to negotiate appropriations for the year, the future of the E-7 Wedgetail remains a topic of significant interest in both domestic and international defense discussions.
