U.S. House Backs $1.55 Billion to Revive Air Force E-7 Wedgetail Program
The House Appropriations Committee endorsed a $1.55 billion budget amendment to revive the U.S. Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail program, which the Pentagon had cancelled. Funding, drawn from Navy E-2D Hawkeye and classified Air Force accounts, supports two prototypes and five EMD aircraft. The committee restored $651 million cut from the E-2D program, citing battle management gaps exposed by the Iran conflict. Lawmakers demand a full acquisition strategy by fiscal 2028.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
House Appropriators Back $1.5B for E-7 Wedgetail but Block Navy Fund Transfer
House appropriators approved a $1.5 billion White House request to fund the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail next-generation radar plane, but rejected a proposed $651 million transfer from the Navy's E-2 procurement account. The move, detailed in a letter from OMB Director Russell Vought to Speaker Mike Johnson, would have shuffled funds from Navy airborne early warning and Air Force classified programs. Lawmakers restored the Navy's E-2D program to six aircraft for FY2027, citing the complementary nature of the E-2D and E-7 and the need for more airborne battle management assets. The funding push follows the March damage to an E-3 Sentry during the Iran conflict and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's reversal on omitting the Wedgetail from the FY2027 budget. Lawmakers ordered Air Force Secretary Troy Meink to brief Congress on E-7 acquisition strategy, quantities, and funding schedules by the FY2028 budget submission. Experts view the unified support from the White House, Pentagon, and Congress as highly favorable for the program.
Defense One - All ContentUS House Panel Supports $1.5B for E-7 Wedgetail, Blocks Navy Fund Transfer
The US House Appropriations Committee has backed the White House's $1.5 billion budget request for the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft program, but rejected a Pentagon proposal to divert $651 million from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye account to partially fund the Air Force's next-generation radar plane. The committee's version of the annual defense spending bill fully funds the E-7 while restoring the Navy's E-2D procurement to six aircraft for fiscal year 2027. Lawmakers emphasized the complementary roles of the E-2D and E-7, stating that more aircraft—not fewer—are needed to support current and future warfighters. The push for E-7 funding intensified after an Air Force E-3 Sentry was damaged during the Iran war in March. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reversed earlier stance and told lawmakers the E-7 is critical for future conflicts. Congress also ordered the Air Force secretary to submit a complete E-7 acquisition strategy by the FY2028 budget request, including required quantities and timelines.
Defense One - All ContentHouse backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, spares Navy Hawkeye
The House Appropriations Committee has approved a $1.55 billion realignment to revive the U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which the Pentagon had previously canceled due to cost overruns. The White House Office of Management and Budget proposed taking $651 million from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye account and $899 million from a classified Air Force procurement line to fund two E-7 prototypes and continued engineering development. However, the House panel rejected the Navy offset, restoring full funding for six E-2D Hawkeye aircraft in fiscal 2027. The committee cited the ongoing conflict in Iran as demonstrating the urgent need for a modern airborne battle management capability to replace the retiring E-3 AWACS. The Air Force is ordered to brief Congress on a full E-7 acquisition strategy, including quantity, funding, and schedule, alongside the 2028 budget request.
Defense NewsHouse committee backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, spares Navy Hawkeye
The House Appropriations Committee has endorsed a White House plan to allocate $1.55 billion to revive the U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which the Pentagon had previously sought to cancel. The funding, sourced from Navy E-2D Hawkeye and a classified Air Force procurement account, would go toward two prototype aircraft and continued engineering development. However, the committee rejected the offset from the Navy, restoring the $651 million cut to the E-2D Hawkeye program and keeping it at six aircraft for fiscal 2027. The reversal in Pentagon policy is attributed to the war in Iran, which exposed a near-term battle management gap that space-based sensors cannot yet fill. The Air Force now has seven E-7s under contract. Lawmakers have ordered the Air Force secretary to present a full acquisition strategy by fiscal 2028.
Navy TimesHouse Supports $1.55B to Revive E-7 Wedgetail, Restores Navy Hawkeye Funding
The House Appropriations Committee has backed a White House proposal to allocate $1.55 billion to revive the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which was previously slated for cancellation. The funding, requested by the Office of Management and Budget in a June 17 budget amendment, was sourced from cuts to the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye account ($651 million) and an Air Force classified procurement line ($899 million). However, the House committee rejected the Navy cut, restoring the $651 million to keep Hawkeye production at six aircraft for fiscal 2027. The funding will support two E-7 prototype aircraft and continued engineering and manufacturing development. The reversal is driven by lessons from the Iran conflict, which exposed a near-term battle management gap that satellites cannot fill. The committee has ordered the Air Force to brief Congress on a full acquisition strategy by fiscal 2028.
Defense NewsHouse backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, restores Navy Hawkeye funding
The House Appropriations Committee has approved $1.55 billion to revive the U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which the Pentagon had canceled in 2025 due to cost overruns and survivability concerns. The funding, proposed by the Office of Management and Budget in a June 17 amendment, was to be drawn from $651 million earmarked for the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye program and $899 million from a classified Air Force procurement account. However, the House panel rejected the offset on the Navy account, restoring full Hawkeye funding while supporting the E-7 realignment. The move is driven by lessons from the conflict in Iran, which exposed a near-term battle management gap that space-based sensors cannot yet fill. The seven E-7 aircraft already on contract remain developmental; the new funding will deliver two additional prototypes and continue engineering and manufacturing development. The committee has ordered the Air Force secretary to brief Congress on a full acquisition strategy by the 2028 budget request.
Military TimesHouse backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, spares Navy Hawkeye
The House Appropriations Committee has backed a $1.55 billion White House budget amendment to revive the U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which the Pentagon had canceled in 2025. The funding, sourced from a Navy E-2D Hawkeye account and a classified Air Force procurement line, will be used to deliver two E-7 prototype aircraft and continue engineering and manufacturing development. However, the House panel rejected the cut to the Navy Hawkeye program, restoring $651 million and maintaining six E-2D aircraft for fiscal year 2027. The reversal is driven by lessons from the war in Iran, which exposed a battle management gap that space-based sensors cannot yet fill. Congress has ordered the Air Force to present a full acquisition strategy, including quantity, funding, and schedules, by the 2028 budget request.
Air Force TimesWhite House Budget Office Seeks $1.55 Billion to Revive E-7 Wedgetail, House Restores Navy Hawkeye Funding
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed a $1.55 billion budget amendment to revive the U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which the Pentagon had previously canceled. The funding would come from cutting $651 million from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye account and $899 million from a classified Air Force procurement line. The House Appropriations Committee, while supporting the E-7 revival, rejected the Navy offset and restored the Hawkeye funding, keeping the E-2D program at six aircraft for fiscal year 2027. The committee cited the war in Iran as reinforcing the need for credible airborne battle management, as the aging E-3 AWACS is set to retire. The funds will support two E-7 prototypes and engineering development, not a full production fleet. The Air Force is ordered to brief Congress on a full acquisition strategy by the 2028 budget request.
Navy TimesHouse backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, spares Navy Hawkeye
The House Appropriations Committee has endorsed a $1.55 billion budget realignment to revive the U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management aircraft program, which the Pentagon had sought to cancel in 2025. The White House Office of Management and Budget proposed taking $651 million from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye program and $899 million from a classified Air Force procurement account to fund two E-7 prototypes and continued engineering and manufacturing development. However, the House panel rejected the Navy offset, restoring the Hawkeye funding and keeping the E-2D production at six aircraft for fiscal year 2027. The decision to revive the E-7 was driven by the ongoing conflict in Iran, which exposed a near-term battle management gap that space-based sensors cannot yet fill. The Air Force already has seven E-7s on contract, all developmental models. Lawmakers have ordered the Air Force secretary to brief Congress on the full acquisition strategy, including quantity, funding, and schedules.
Military TimesHouse backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, spares Navy Hawkeye
The White House Office of Management and Budget proposed diverting over $1.55 billion to restore the U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which was previously slated for cancellation. The funds were to come from cutting $651 million from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye program and $899 million from a classified Air Force procurement line. The House Appropriations Committee supported the E-7 funding realignment but rejected the Navy offset, restoring full funding for six E-2D aircraft in FY2027. The committee cited lessons from the conflict in Iran, which exposed a near-term battle management gap that space-based sensors cannot yet fill. The Air Force has seven E-7 developmental jets on contract but no production decision yet. Lawmakers ordered the Air Force secretary to brief Congress on a full acquisition strategy by the 2028 budget request.
Air Force TimesHouse backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, spares Navy Hawkeye
The House Appropriations Committee, in its fiscal 2027 defense bill report, supports a White House budget amendment proposing over $1.55 billion to revive the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which had been slated for cancellation. The Office of Management and Budget proposed taking $651 million from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye account and $899 million from a classified Air Force line to fund two E-7 prototypes and continued development. However, the House panel rejected the Navy offset, restoring the Hawkeye funding to maintain six aircraft in 2027. Citing lessons from the conflict in Iran, the committee argues the E-7 is needed to replace retiring E-3 AWACS aircraft and complement the E-2D. The Air Force is also ordered to present a full E-7 acquisition strategy by the 2028 budget request.
Defense NewsHouse backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, spares Navy Hawkeye
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has approved $1.55 billion in funding to revive the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program, which the Pentagon had previously canceled due to cost overruns. The funding, requested by the White House Office of Management and Budget in a June 17 amendment, would be sourced from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye account ($651 million) and a classified Air Force procurement line ($899 million). However, the House committee restored the Navy's E-2D funding, insisting on maintaining six aircraft for fiscal 2027. The committee cited the ongoing conflict in Iran as reinforcing the need for credible airborne battle management, noting that the aging E-3 AWACS is set to retire and satellites cannot yet fill the gap. The Air Force already has seven E-7s under contract, but these are developmental prototypes. Lawmakers have ordered the Air Force secretary to brief Congress by 2028 on the full acquisition strategy, including quantity, funding, and production schedule.
Air Force TimesPentagon Funds E-7 Wedgetail with $1.55B Shift from Navy and Classified Accounts
The Pentagon has submitted a budget amendment to Congress allocating $1.55 billion for the E-7 Wedgetail program in fiscal year 2027. The funds come from $651 million taken from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye procurement account and $899 million from the Air Force's classified 'Other Procurement' account. The amendment aims to sustain work on two prototypes and five engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) aircraft already contracted. However, the request lacks a long-term acquisition strategy; House appropriators have restored the E-2D cuts and demanded a full E-7 plan by fiscal 2028. The E-7 is intended to replace the aging E-3 AWACS, offering advanced radar and battle management capabilities. Boeing is currently modifying 737 airframes for the prototypes in the UK.
Air & Space Forces MagazinePentagon Finds $1.55B for E-7 Wedgetail, Mostly in Classified Budget
The Pentagon has submitted budget amendments to Congress proposing a $1.55 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2027 to revive the E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management program. The funds would come from $651 million redirected from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye procurement and $899 million from classified Air Force Special Access Program accounts (17.6% of that account). The request does not include a long-term acquisition strategy for the platform intended to replace the E-3 AWACS. The funding will sustain work on two prototypes and five engineering/manufacturing/development aircraft previously contracted. House appropriators voiced support for the E-7 but restored the E-2D funding cut, emphasizing the complementary nature of both platforms. Boeing is currently modifying 737 airframes in the UK for the prototypes. The Air Force is directed to provide a full acquisition strategy with the FY2028 budget request.
Air & Space Forces MagazinePentagon Finds $1.55B for E-7 Wedgetail, Mostly in Classified Budget
The Pentagon has submitted budget amendments to Congress proposing a $1.55 billion spending plan for the revived E-7 Wedgetail program in fiscal year 2027. Funding would come from $651 million cut from the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye procurement and $899 million drawn from classified Air Force Special Access Programs. The funds are designated to continue work on two prototypes and five engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) aircraft already under contract. The Air Force originally planned to buy 26 E-7s, but the program has faced cuts and revival. House appropriators restored the E-2D cuts, expressing concern over the lack of a long-term E-7 acquisition strategy. The Secretary of the Air Force is now directed to provide a full acquisition strategy, including quantity and funding details, with the fiscal 2028 budget request.
Air & Space Forces Magazine