A critical node for air superiority: The Boeing E-7A is the world’s most advanced Battle Management Command and Control platform

For years global operators Australia, South Korea and Türkiye have been demonstrating the unparalleled “first to detect, first to engage” surveillance and command-and-control capabilities of the E-7A. Now in production for the United Kingdom and the United States, and recently selected by NATO, the E-7A strengthens national security and enhances sovereignty to allied nations around the world, providing operationally focused capabilities, allied and coalition interoperability, and lifecycle mission benefits.

As the global community faces the urgent and growing need for BMC2 capability, Boeing’s active E-7A production delivers mission-ready next generation capabilities, mission systems interoperability, increased readiness, lifecycle cost savings and shared evolutionary growth

Next-gen capability

A critical node for air superiority, the E-7A offers air forces unparalleled advanced airborne moving target indication, battle management, and command and control capabilities for long-range “first to detect, first to engage” advantages against potential adversaries.

The E-7A’s multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) sensor provides situational awareness and long-range surveillance for global operators. Developed using secure, open mission systems architectures, the E-7A equipped with MESA serves a crucial role within the Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) structure to support and enhance the allied and coalition missions.

The E-7A’s command-and-control abilities also make it perfectly suited for integrating future Collaborative Combat Aircraft and other manned-unmanned teaming in fleet operations.

Targeted tracking and continuous surveillance—“the ability to stare” at targets—and other unique capabilities of the E-7A increase the survivability and lethality of the joint and combined force.

Interoperability

A built-for-purpose weapons system, the E-7A’s standardized mission system configuration enables global operators with a fleet of interoperable E-7A aircraft for integrated allied and coalition operations, aiding mission planning and increasing mission execution effectiveness. This game-changing aircraft can work with and talk to joint assets across multiple domains – thereby increasing the situational awareness of the battlespace to coalition participants such as 4th- and 5th-gen fighters, naval assets and ground agencies in the most challenging of operational environments.

The tri-lateral agreement between the U.S., U.K. and Australia exemplifies the opportunity to share in the gains from collaborative development with minimized design differences while meeting operator-specific requirements. The E-7A contributes to the integrated overall surveillance and control system of systems capability that is crucial for the security of NATO, allies, and partners.

Mission Readiness

Based on the 737-700 Next Generation airframe, platform commonality has always been a hallmark of the E-7A. With more than 9,000 737s in service, and more than 280 service centers and repair facilities worldwide, 24/7/365 support ensures greater mission generation. And the size and power of the 737-based platform makes the combat-proven E-7A ready for complex, all-weather operations requiring long mission duration.

Fleet lifecycle cost savings

Allied collaboration on the sustainment of the aircraft drives synergies and lifecycle cost savings in training, maintenance, spares and other facets of operation. As the global community of E-7A operators continues to grow, these cost savings will continue to grow as well.

Likewise, leveraging the commercial-grade platform makes the E-7A the lowest cost option to own and operate for air forces around the globe. The E-7A is less expensive to operate compared to platforms based on small business jets, which require extensive alterations and face more costly, disruptive maintenance regimes.

Evolutionary growth

With the E-7A, Boeing successfully married a compliant Open Systems Architecture BMC2 system to an advanced, active electronically scanned array. Adaptable by design, the E-7A’s open systems architecture and agile software development foundation enables rapid, flexible, and affordable upgrades to field new capabilities. The E-7A’s Size Weight and Power/Cooling (SWaP-C) margin advantage also facilitates more opportunities for capability growth to remain relevant as threats evolve.