
The U.S. Air Force is investigating if and how it may accelerate the planned procurement of 15 Boeing [BA] E-7 Wedgetails as a partial replacement for the service's 31 E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft by Boeing. "We are exploring options to try to do that [acceleration]," Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 3 in response to a question from SASC Chariman Jack Reed (D-R.I.) during a May 3 hearing on…