Wedgetail

Republicans tee up short-term CR extending Pentagon funding until November

The continuing resolution does not include $3.9 billion requested by the White House for the Columbia-class submarine, but gives funding flexibility to other key programs.

EXCLUSIVE: SDA eyeing airborne target tracking satellites demonstration, says Tournear

"I would say that we are at the point now where the technology has matured and it's commoditized, so that radar based AMTI from space is feasible," outgoing SDA Director Derek Tournear told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.

Can Congress pass a FY26 defense budget this year? Here are 12 key issues for lawmakers.

As Congress returns from August recess, Breaking Defense examined how each defense committee is looking at a dozen major programs, from Golden Dome to F/A-XX to the cancellation of the E-7 Wedgetail.

Space Force launching sats to ‘enable’ GMTI ahead of mission-dedicated birds in 2028

Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, the Space Force’s deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber and nuclear, also said the service expects to complete an analysis of alternatives by this fall for a separate but related effort to track airborne targets from the heavens.

UK closes in on build of first E-7 Wedgetail, keeps faith in program amid US Air Force cancellation

In all, the estimated £1.89 billion ($2.57 billion) British E-7 program had completed a total of three test flights as of May, according to a parliamentary statement from Maria Eagle, UK defence procurement minister.

House committee’s NDAA authorizes more money for Ukraine, thwarts troop reductions in Europe

HASC’s version of the NDAA sticks closely to the Pentagon’s own FY26 budget — a departure from a typical year where lawmakers divert funding to bolster high-priority programs.

Air Force cancels E-7 Wedgetail, citing survivability and cost concerns

"We are bullish on space, and we think that’s a capability that can be achieved actually faster than the E-7 will deliver at this point," a senior military official said.

‘Not survivable’: Hegseth says DoD reviewing E-7 Wedgetail program amid move to space

Pentagon budget request documents obtained by Breaking Defense show continued R&D investment, but procurement dollars appear to dry up.

Space Force testing space-based sensors to track airborne targets

Space-based capabilities could put current aerial tracking platforms in question, but top military brass have argued for options "from whatever domain or platform or system that comes [in]."

Air Force officer sees options for ‘cheaper,’ less ‘exquisite’ CCA drone wingmen

“I think you'll see a range of options, from low end to potentially more exquisite,” Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel said of forthcoming tranches of drone wingmen. “I tend to think that it's probably going to be closer to this low end thing when we start looking at the further CCA increments.”

Air Force eyes ‘Advanced E-7’ Wedgetail with upgrades including new radar

A request for information released by the service raises the possibility of integrating new upgrades on a platform “equivalent” to the E-7, though it’s not clear what that could be.

Australia narrows $10B AUD frigate competition to German, Japanese firms: Reports

"Defence continues to enhance the size and lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet, as directed by Government in February 2024, and is progressing the acquisition of Australia’s general purpose frigate by engaging with exemplar platform nations and tenderers," an Australian DoD spokesman told Breaking Defense.

US approves potential $4.9 billion E-7 Wedgetail deal with South Korea

Seoul is looking to expand its airborne early warning capabilities, and Boeing has competition at home and abroad for the contract.

Boeing machinists vote to end strike, putting KC-46, P-8 programs back on track

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents about 33,000 Boeing workers mostly in Washington state and Oregon, voted in a 59 percent majority to end the strike and will return to work on Nov. 6.