Military Veterans Argue for Prioritization of E-7 Aircraft, F-35 Jets, and Aerial Dominance
Retired Air Force Generals Urge Preservation of E-7 Wedgetail and Increased F-35 Purchases
A group of retired senior Air Force generals have strongly argued for the preservation of the E-7 Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft and an increase in the purchase of F-35 fighters, opposing Pentagon plans to cancel the E-7.
The generals contend that the E-7 is not as vulnerable to long-range missile threats as the Pentagon asserts, and that relying on a space-based alternative for air and ground target indication is currently unrealistic. Gen. Kevin Chilton, a former head of Air Force Space Command, emphasized that military space capabilities, especially for airborne moving target indication (AMTI), are still in experimental stages, and space is actually a vulnerable domain at present, making it unsuitable as a near-term substitute for airborne early warning.
The letter signed by 16 retired four-star generals, including six former Chiefs of Staff, called on Congress to rescue the E-7 program and to significantly increase F-35 purchases to maintain U.S. air superiority. They argue that success depends on greater investment in the Air Force after a prolonged decline in its capabilities.
Meanwhile, the E-7 Wedgetail has made operational progress in allied contexts. For example, the UK’s E-7 completed its first functional flight in 2025 and was stationed at RAF Lossiemouth. However, U.S. Pentagon plans still propose canceling the E-7, citing the shift to space-based targeting solutions.
The generals emphasize that the E-7’s proven capabilities for airborne early warning remain critical and not easily replaced by space assets today. They also point out that the space-based alternatives face significant technological and operational challenges and have yet to be validated in combat conditions. Increasing procurement of the F-35 is necessary to restore and preserve air superiority amid growing threats.
They urge Congress to adjust budget priorities in favor of the Air Force to reverse capability declines from the past decades. This advocacy reflects ongoing debate within the military and defense community about balancing traditional airborne platforms like the E-7 with emerging space-based sensor systems and modern fighter acquisition strategies.
The strategy of "divest to invest" has not been effective, according to Gen. Herbert J. "Hawk" Carlisle and Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman. Gen. Philip M. Breedlove advocates for the F-35 as the most advanced U.S. fighter and a priority for addressing the "fight tonight" requirement. However, Gen. John Loh noted that attempting to achieve the AMTI/GMTI mission by disaggregating the elements onto other platforms is not possible yet.
The panel argued that an air element is a necessary redundancy to any space system. Gen. Fogleman emphasizes the importance of air superiority for the joint force and argues for an adequate share of the budget for the Air Force. Gen. Loh also noted that the Air Force has been struggling to make Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept work for years now with limited success.
The debate is not limited to the E-7 and the F-35. Gen. Breedlove notes that Russia has failed to achieve air superiority over Ukraine. Gen. Kevin Chilton also asserted that the space domain is more vulnerable than any other domains. Moseley argues that it's time to replace older airframes with F-35s.
The panel of 16 retired Air Force four-stars, including six former Chiefs of Staff, sent a letter to Congress urging the rescue of the E-7 Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft from its planned cancelation and a significant increase in the purchase of F-35 fighters. The letter underscores the importance of maintaining U.S. air superiority and the need for a balanced approach to military technology and strategy.
- The panel of 16 retired Air Force four-stars, including six former Chiefs of Staff, sent a letter to Congress urging the rescue of the E-7 Wedgetail early warning and control aircraft from its planned cancelation.
- They argue that the E-7’s proven capabilities for airborne early warning remain critical and not easily replaced by space assets today.
- The generals contend that the E-7 is not as vulnerable to long-range missile threats as the Pentagon asserts, and that relying on a space-based alternative for air and ground target indication is currently unrealistic.
- The purchase of F-35 fighters is urged to maintain U.S. air superiority and restore and preserve air superiority amid growing threats.
- The generals emphasize that an air element is a necessary redundancy to any space system, and that air superiority for the joint force is important.
- They also argue for greater investment in the Air Force after a prolonged decline in its capabilities to achieve the airborne moving target indication (AMTI) and ground moving target indication (GMTI) mission, highlighting the ongoing debate within the military and defense community about balancing traditional airborne platforms like the E-7 with emerging space-based sensor systems and modern fighter acquisition strategies.
