Replacing damaged US AWACS aircraft could cost over $700 million — WSJ

Replacing a U.S. Air Force airborne early warning and control aircraft damaged in an Iranian strike could cost more than $700 million, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

According to the report, the U.S. Air Force may replace the damaged Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS) with the newer Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, which carries a price tag exceeding $700 million per aircraft.

If sufficient funding is secured, Boeing could produce up to seven E-7 aircraft under a program that is currently running several years behind schedule, the newspaper noted.

On March 28, reports emerged that a U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft had sustained damage in Saudi Arabia.

By Khagan Isayev