Boeing E-7 (737) Wedgetail

1^st Flight 2004

The Boeing 737 AEW&C is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation design.

It is lighter than the 707-based Boeing E-3 Sentry, and has a fixed, active electronically scanned array radar antenna instead of a rotating one.

It was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under “Project Wedgetail” and designated E-7A Wedgetail.

The 737 AEW&C has also been selected by the Turkish Air Force, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the United Kingdom.

Specifications

Crew

2 & 6 – 10 Crewmembers

Capacity

43,720 lb (19,830 kg)

Length

110 ft 4 in (33.6 m)

Wingspan

117 ft 2 in (35.8 m)

Height

41 ft 2 in (12.5 m)

Wing area

980 sq ft (91 m2)

Airfoil

B737D

Empty weight

102,750 lb (46,606 kg)

Max take-off weight

171,000 lb (77,600 kg)

Powerplant

2 × CFM International CFM56-7B27A turbofans, 27,300 lbf (121 kN) thrust each

Performance

Cruise speed

530 mph (853 km/h, 460 kn)

Range

4,000 mi (6,500 km, 3,500 nmi)

Service ceiling

41,000 ft (12,500 m)

Avionics

Northrop Grumman multi-role active electronically scanned array radar.