Second RAF Wedgetail arrives at Lossiemouth for evaluation

A second Boeing E-7 Wedgetail has arrived at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. It joins the lead aircraft, which was delivered to the site earlier in the year.

The aircraft, designated WT002, touched down on 8 October after completing testing at Boscombe Down, the Ministry of Defence's test site in Wiltshire.

According to the RAF, both aircraft will take part in further ground and flight evaluation, supporting the next phase of development as the programme advances.

The airframe is a heavily modified 737NG. WT002 flew for the first time after conversion in mid-July, then received its service livery the following month before heading to Boscombe Down for initial testing. STS Aviation Services carried out the modification work in the UK at Birmingham.

Three Wedgetail aircraft are to enter service with the RAF in total. The acquisition was originally planned around five airframes before being cut to three under a package of budget reductions. The type is intended to replace the RAF's Boeing E-3D Sentry fleet, which has already been retired. The replacements were originally due to reach frontline use earlier this decade.