The United States Congress is moving closer to securing the continuity of the E-7 Wedgetail program, after the House of Representatives announced that it is ready to approve the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The consolidated text, presented on December 7, reconciles the differences between the House and Senate versions and includes specific measures to prevent the cancellation of the future airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft of the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
The House of Representatives reviewed the bill during a Rules Committee session on December 9, a step prior to the full chamber vote scheduled for December 10, according to various sources. One of the central points of discussion was the fate of the E-7 Wedgetail, the platform intended to replace the U.S. Air Force’s E-3 AWACS aircraft.
The E-7, based on the Boeing 737 platform, was conceived as the new airborne early warning and control system for the U.S. Air Force. By 2024, the service had signed a $2.56 billion contract to build two prototypes and planned to acquire a total of 26 aircraft. The aircraft is capable of detecting aircraft, missiles, and drones at more than 300 miles, as well as coordinating air operations in real time. Countries such as the United Kingdom have already moved forward with its incorporation: the Royal Air Force is expected to receive three units starting in 2026.
However, in its budget request for fiscal year 2026, the Pentagon proposed canceling the program, citing “significant delays with cost increases,” doubts about its ability to operate in contested airspace, and the possibility of transferring part of the surveillance mission to the Navy’s E-2D Hawkeye and to future satellites. The decision prompted immediate backlash from former Air Force leaders, including 16 retired four-star officers who urged Congress to keep the program alive.
Both the House and Senate took measures to reverse the cancellation while drafting their respective bills. While the USAF requested about $200 million to close the program, the House added $600 million for the “continuation of rapid prototyping,” and the Senate added $700 million for “continued development and procurement.” The House also included a clause preventing the Air Force from terminating the E-7A prototype contract or preparing to shut down the production lines linked to the aircraft during fiscal year 2026.
The compromise bill adopts the House provisions blocking any steps toward cancellation while increasing the budget authorization by $649 million, using the Senate’s language regarding “continued development and procurement.” These decisions indicate that Congress intends for the program to advance beyond the prototype stage and move toward production.
These measures come in addition to what was established in the continuing resolution that ended the November government shutdown. That measure required the Air Force to use research, development, test, and evaluation funds to sustain program activities up to a maximum of $199.6 million, and it allowed procurement funds from fiscal year 2025 to be transferred to R&D, as long as the purpose was to maintain the E-7 schedule.
Despite the support for the Wedgetail, the new NDAA also authorizes the purchase of four E-2D Hawkeye aircraft, as requested by the Pentagon to compensate for a potential E-7 cancellation. The Senate had removed this item, but the House partially restored it, and it was ultimately included in the unified bill. The project also authorizes the full $1.06 billion requested for the ground moving target indication satellite constellation, considered a key component of future surveillance capabilities.
The debate surrounding the E-7 Wedgetail is also unfolding in an international context. In September, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that Boeing will build two aircraft for the USAF in Birmingham, in a contract valued at $46 million. This agreement marks the return of the UK aerospace industry to manufacturing military aircraft for the United States after more than 50 years and shows that the E-7 production chain remains active despite the budgetary debate in Washington.
Although discussions about its future operational viability persist, the U.S. Congress is moving decisively to prevent the cancellation and ensure that the E-7 Wedgetail continues its development as the next AEW&C system of the U.S. Air Force.
Images for illustrative purposes only.
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