Funding for the U.S. Air Force’s new E-7 Wedgetail radar jet has been secured through a bipartisan agreement reached on Sunday evening. This agreement aims to end the **41-day government shutdown**, marking it as the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Despite the military’s previous intentions to reduce funding for the E-7 program, the continuing resolution includes nearly **$200 million** earmarked for “continued rapid prototyping activities to maintain program schedule and transition to production.”
This funding provision is part of a **31-page continuing resolution** that will finance government operations through **January 30, 2024**. According to **Sen. Susan Collins**, a Republican from Maine and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, “Other programs will be funded through January 30th, while the Senate and House continue work on the remainder of the year-long appropriations bills.” She expressed optimism about voting for this legislation, emphasizing that it would prevent unnecessary harm to national security.
The inclusion of the E-7 Wedgetail in the resolution is a significant win for **Boeing**, the manufacturer of this radar aircraft. However, a company spokesperson declined to comment on the latest funding measure, and the Air Force has not responded to requests for comment. This development contrasts sharply with recent criticisms from **Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth**, who claimed that the E-7 might not be viable on modern battlefields and pointed to planned cuts in the Air Force’s **2026 budget**.
Despite the ongoing debate about the program’s viability, the bipartisan support for the E-7 amid the shutdown indicates a strong legislative concern regarding the U.S. military’s capacity for airborne surveillance. **Todd Harrison**, a defense budget expert at the **American Enterprise Institute**, noted the importance of this funding, saying, “If it passes, this is a big win for Boeing, and it shows that many in Congress still have doubts about how quickly the Space Force can deploy the Airborne Moving-Target Indication systems it funded in the reconciliation bill a few months ago.”
While there are remaining procedural hurdles before the agreement is finalized, the government’s support for the E-7 comes at a time when defense officials have indicated that the program was facing cuts due to delays and cost overruns. The E-7 was intended to replace the aging **E-3 Sentry** aircraft, with Boeing and the Air Force agreeing last year on the delivery of two test planes projected for 2028 at a cost of **$2.6 billion**. However, a report from the **Government Accountability Office** revealed that costs have increased by **$884 million**, representing a **33 percent** rise.
In September, the British government announced plans to construct the two E-7 prototypes in the United Kingdom, further complicating the landscape around this controversial program. As discussions continue in Congress, the outcome of this resolution will not only impact the future of the E-7 Wedgetail but also reflect broader priorities for U.S. military capabilities.
