Boeing accelerates the E-7 Wedgetail program
Boeing began the main construction phase of the new E-7 Wedgetail support facility at RAF Lossiemouth. The new facilities will be built adjacent to the Atlantic Building. These are the result of a joint £100 million investment that Boeing and the Ministry of Defense are executing. Lossiemouth currently operates as a base for the UK’s fleet of nine P-8A Poseidon.
Steve Burnell, managing director of Boeing Defence UK, said, «We are no strangers to taking forward projects of this scale and complexity in Scotland. We are particularly proud to once again be working with our local supply chain to help create and sustain new jobs in the region.»
Alex Chalk KC, UK Minister for Defense Procurement, added, «This is another important investment that will create hundreds of jobs and strengthen the local Scottish economy. Scotland has a long history as home to some of our most critical defense assets, and this investment will extend that history.»
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The E-7 is an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform whose design is based on the Boeing 737-700ER. It is designed to simultaneously locate and track multiple air, sea, and ground targets. The information it gathers helps improve situational awareness and command assets. There are currently three aircraft on UK soil, which are being modified by STS Aviation in Birmingham.
McLaughlin & Harvey will be responsible for the construction of the facilities. To this end it will mobilize local labor for the construction, enabling a mixed team of more than 125 people to be employed on-site. «The award of the major construction work for this facility is a testament to our ability to deliver on major projects,» said Douglas McCusker, construction manager for McLaughlin & Harvey. The technical infrastructure construction phase of the E-7 program is scheduled for completion in 2025.
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