A Historic Moment at the Royal International Air Tattoo
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) made history this weekend as the Royal Air Force’s advanced surveillance and early warning aircraft, the E-7 Wedgetail AEW Mk1, made its debut in a public flypast. This milestone event took place on Saturday, 19 July, at the airshow in Fairford, Gloucester, where the high-tech aircraft joined the iconic Red Arrows in a stunning aerial formation.
The E-7 Wedgetail’s performance was followed by a ‘touch and go’ maneuver on the runway, where the aircraft briefly landed before immediately taking off again without coming to a full stop. After this demonstration, the aircraft departed for MOD Boscombe Down, where it will undergo further system testing.
Group Captain Richard Osselton, Programme Director for the E-7 Programme, emphasized the significance of the event. He stated, “The Wedgetail appearance at RIAT not only reinforces the hard work and collaboration of all those contributing to the project but also reflects the importance of delivering the next generation of airborne surveillance and control capabilities to support the RAF’s operational effectiveness in the years to come.”
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The Red Arrows flew in formation alongside the Boeing aircraft, creating a breathtaking spectacle for the crowd of over 50,000 spectators. Squadron Leader Jon Bond, Team Leader and Red 1 of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, highlighted the importance of such events. He said, “With an international audience of aviation enthusiasts, the Air Tattoo is always a great occasion at which to formally welcome a new addition to the Royal Air Force’s fleet. Whether it’s the Red Arrows’ history-making, world-first use of sustainable fuels at this year’s RIAT or the introduction of E-7 Wedgetail, both showcase the RAF’s commitment to constant, cutting-edge innovation. I hope those watching the flypast were able to take plenty of photographs to mark this special mixed formation and true highlight of the 2025 Air Tattoo.”
The Capabilities of the E-7 Wedgetail
The Royal Air Force described the E-7 Wedgetail as the most capable and operationally proven airborne early warning and control platform in use today. It has been designed with a growth path that matches the expected threats over the next 20 years. The mission crew will utilize state-of-the-art workstations to deliver a multi-domain battle management capability. This includes providing situational awareness to UK, NATO, and coalition force elements, directing offensive and defensive assets, while maintaining continuous surveillance of an assigned area.
The Wedgetail significantly enhances the lethality and survivability of friendly aircraft and naval assets, especially when operating in hostile environments. Stu Voboril, Boeing vice president and E-7 program manager, praised the collaborative effort behind the project. He said, “Today’s flight is an amazing testament to the work of our integrated Boeing and UK supplier team, in partnership with the RAF. Our work reflects the pride we take in supporting the strategic alliance among the UK, U.S., and allies, and the role the E-7 plays in strengthening global joint force mission advantage.”
Future Deployment and Strategic Importance
The UK’s Wedgetail will serve under No. 8 Squadron and will be based at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, alongside the nine-strong fleet of P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Both the E-7 Wedgetail and P-8 Poseidon are based upon the widely used Boeing 737 Next Generation airframe, allowing the RAF to benefit from synergies between the two fleets. This strategic deployment underscores the RAF’s commitment to maintaining advanced capabilities and ensuring operational readiness in an evolving threat landscape.
