Senate Strives to Prevent Defense Department from Salvaging E-7 Wedgetail Cancellation
The U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail program is currently embroiled in a significant conflict between Pentagon budget decisions and Congressional efforts to preserve funding.
The Pentagon, under the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's support, decided to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail acquisition primarily due to cost growth, survivability concerns in contested environments, and delays. The rationale included shifting toward future space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions, as well as supplementing short-term needs with more Navy E-2D Hawkeye aircraft.
However, Congress has pushed back against this cancellation. The House Armed Services Committee has proposed adding $600 million in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) draft for continuing rapid prototyping of the Air Force-specific E-7 Wedgetail version, indicating a move toward restoring or sustaining the program despite the Pentagon's cancellation plan. Additionally, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026, increased funding for the E-7A Wedgetail aircraft by $300 million in Air Force research, development, test, and evaluation funds, matching the NDAA Chairman’s mark.
This Congressional opposition is further supported by public letters from around 16 retired four-star generals and nearly 20 retired Air Force generals, including former chiefs of staff, who warn that cutting the E-7 program and reducing F-35 purchases would undermine the Air Force’s capacity to meet national defense needs amid global tensions. They argue that space-based systems and the E-2D Hawkeye are inadequate substitutes for the E-7’s airborne command and control mission.
Meanwhile, the UK continues to proceed with its own E-7 Wedgetail program independently of U.S. Air Force developments, with their first aircraft nearing completion. This underscores the platform’s perceived value internationally despite U.S. cancellation trends.
It remains to be seen whether the Senate will back the decision to continue the E-7 buy, as Senate appropriators haven't yet released a Pentagon budget blueprint for 2026. The House Rules Committee advanced an $831.5 billion defense spending package for 2026, which bars the military from using federal dollars to pause or end the pursuit of a Wedgetail fleet or to prepare to do so. However, the House Rules Committee declined to add an amendment from Norcross and Strickland that would have increased funding for the E-7 program to nearly $800 million.
In summary, the E-7 Wedgetail program is officially canceled by the Pentagon due to cost, survivability, and delay issues, aligned with a strategic shift to space-based assets under the Trump-era decisions. However, Congress is actively restoring funding to keep the program alive, supported by strong defense community advocacy against the cuts. The outcome of this ongoing conflict will have significant implications for the future of airborne early warning and command and control capabilities in the U.S. military.
- Despite the Pentagon's decision to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail acquisition, Congress is proposing $600 million in the 2026 NDAA draft to rapid prototype the Air Force-specific version.
- The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026, also increased funding for the E-7A Wedgetail aircraft by $300 million in Air Force research, development, test, and evaluation funds.
- A group of retired four-star generals, including former chiefs of staff, have warned that cutting the E-7 program and reducing F-35 purchases would undermine the Air Force’s capacity to meet national defense needs.
- The UK is independently proceeding with its own E-7 Wedgetail program, with their first aircraft nearing completion, underscoring the platform’s perceived value internationally.
- The Senate has yet to release a Pentagon budget blueprint for 2026, leaving it uncertain whether they will back the decision to continue the E-7 buy, as the House Rules Committee has advanced a defense spending package that bars the military from using federal dollars to end the pursuit of a Wedgetail fleet.
