Airborne Early Warning and Control is an essential mission in coordinating large air operations and identifying targets before they become a major threat. The US fleet is shrinking, at just 16 operational E-3 Sentry aircraft, aka AWACS, it is getting harder to sustain operations in large part due to their age.So why, with the E-7 Wedgetail and its fancy AESA radar seemingly waiting in the wings, did the Pentagon try to cancel it? To them, it boiled down to survivability and satellite capabilities. There are some problems overall with that argument, though. We get into all this and more in this video.00:00 – Intro02:05 – What airborne radar does05:42 – What is the E-7 Wedge tail08:44 – Pentagon pulls the plug12:50 – Congress forces funding
Summary
The video from Task and Purpose examines the controversy surrounding the potential cancellation of the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft. Airborne radar systems are critical for coordinating large-scale air operations and identifying threats before they escalate. Currently, the United States operates only sixteen E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, a number that is decreasing due to the aging fleet and shrinking military resources. This scarcity makes sustaining operations increasingly difficult.
Despite the availability of the newer E-7 Wedgetail equipped with advanced AESA radar technology, the Pentagon reportedly moved to cancel the program. The primary reasons cited by officials involved concerns regarding survivability and reliance on satellite capabilities rather than dedicated airborne sensors. The video notes that there are significant issues with this argument. It explores the specific functions of airborne radar, details the features of the E-7 Wedgetail, and explains the circumstances leading to the Pentagon's decision to pull funding. Additionally, the content covers how Congress intervened to force continued funding for the project. The channel aims to foster discussion within the defense industry regarding these strategic shifts.
Watch “Why Did The Pentagon Try To Kill The E-7 Wedgetail?” on YouTube
