Boeing announced Feb. 17 that it had delivered to USAF on Feb. 8 the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft the company had just completed upgrading at its Wichita, Kan. facility. The 11-month-long upgrade included “extensive programmed depot maintenance refurbishment” to ensure the aircraft can operate effectively and meet FAA safety requirements, stated the company release. Steve Wade, Boeing GM for Global Transport and Executive Systems noted that the E-4B is “the most advanced communications aircraft in the world and on alert 24/7.” The company is on tap to upgrade a second E-4B with a full Mod Block to include a senior leadership communications system.
The Air Force on March 12 awarded contract modifications worth a combined $2.4 billion to Boeing to procure an undisclosed number of E-7 Wedgetail as part of the program's engineering and manufacturing development phase and continue work on the airborne battle management aircraft’s radar.