Viewpoint: Why Delaware’s Aerospace Hub Needs the E-7 Wedgetail
- Sussex County Republican Committee
- May 21
- 3 min read
May 21, 2026
For decades, the First State has quietly produced critical products that make outsized contributions to American air superiority. The defense community has relied on our manufacturers for decades to produce specialized parts, technologies, and services that enable the U.S. military to complete their missions safely and efficiently.
The E-7 Wedgetail is one of the most exciting aircraft emerging for the next generation of deterrence and engagement. It is also maturing at a critical time.
The urgency of the E-7 program cannot be overstated. Our current fleet of E-3 Sentry (AWACS) aircraft—recognizable by their rotating radar domes—is aging out of service. These 1970s-era airframes are increasingly difficult to maintain, and in a modern conflict, the lack of reliable airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) puts American pilots at a severe disadvantage.
The E-7 Wedgetail, built on the proven 737 commercial airframe, represents the next generation of situational awareness. It features the MESA radar, which provides a 360-degree gaze capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously with incredible precision.
ALOFT AeroArchitects has supported the 737 airframe since its inception. We supply the aircraft’s auxiliary fuel system which adds critical range to the aircraft capability. We also provide installation services for every customer of the 737 airframe, which includes the U.S. Air Force and its allies in Australia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
For a Delaware-based supplier like us, the transition to the E-7 is important to industrial stability and future growth. We employ just over 300 people in Georgetown, DE. Long-term funding for the E-7 program will determine the forecast demand for potential new customer adoption and will solidify the workflow and jobs for manufacturing and hangar employees over the next decade. It will also add critical capability to the U.S. military and our global allies.
Our company is a specialist in the integration of mission-enhancing systems on commercial derivative platforms and supporting the E-7 platform provides an excellent base of repeatable, consistent labor-based production that enables us to expand our hiring in the local DelMarVa peninsula community and build a talent pipeline to support high-paying, in-demand skilled jobs.
Importantly, the E-7 program provides opportunity throughout our state’s defense manufacturing supply chain. It allows small- and mid-sized Delaware firms to invest in long-term tooling, workforce training, and innovative manufacturing processes that are often too risky to undertake for smaller-scale projects.
The E-7 is a good investment for its positive supply chain impact as well as its efficiency. Allies like Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Korea already operate the Wedgetail, allowing the U.S. to leverage existing investments and ensure seamless interoperability with our coalition partners. By standardizing on this platform, the U.S. reduces the unique “one-off” parts that often lead to supply chain bottlenecks, creating a more predictable and resilient market for Delaware manufacturers and other supplier companies nationwide.
Beyond the balance sheets, this is about the high-tech jobs that keep our local graduates in-state. Aerospace manufacturing in the region supports a diverse range of roles, from software developers and logisticians to the highly skilled assemblers and inspectors who ensure every part meets rigorous airworthiness standards. These aren’t just jobs; they are careers that keep our communities strong.
Congress has made it clear that the E-7 is a critical Air Force program that will help prevent a “capability gap” in our deterrence and defense strategies. This bipartisan support demonstrates that our leaders know we need a proven, airborne solution today to bridge the gap between aging systems and future technologies. The E-7
is the answer to that need.
As a manufacturer, I take immense pride in knowing that parts made right here in Delaware are integrated into a system that serves as the “eye in the sky” for our nation. Supporting the E-7 program is an investment in a safer world, a more capable Air Force, and a thriving Delaware industrial base. It is time to move past the delays and commit to the production of the full 26-aircraft fleet. Our security, and our local economy, depend on it.
Matthew Hill is the Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy President at ALOFT AeroArchitects and lives in Sussex County, Delaware.
