Defense Feeds

Defense Feeds, Washington – The E-7 Wedgetail funding debate has taken another unexpected turn after the White House proposed shifting Pentagon resources to keep the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation airborne battle management aircraft on track. The proposal would redirect approximately $1.55 billion toward continued development of the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, including funding for two prototype aircraft and ongoing engineering and manufacturing activities. The move is particularly notable because the Pentagon had previously argued that the Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye fleet could temporarily fill the airborne battle management role while the Air Force moved away from the E-7 program. Now, the administration is seeking to preserve the Wedgetail by drawing part of the proposed funding from the Navy’s aircraft procurement budget,