4 ms·

> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-7_Wedgetail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-7_Wedgetail Somewhat interesting in that the Pentagon did not want

> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-7_Wedgetail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-7_Wedgetail Somewhat interesting in that the Pentagon did not want the E-7 (as a replacement to the E-3): * https://www.twz.com/air/e-2-hawkeye-replaces-usaf-e-3-sentry-e-7-cancelled-in-new-budget https://www.twz.com/air/e-2-hawkeye-replaces-usaf-e-3-sentry... nominally because it wanted to spend the money on more E-2s, which can operate on smaller and rougher airfields, which would be handy in (e.g.) the Pacific where tiny islands don't necessary 'fancy' runways that the E-7 needs. But they're actually very handy in tracking tiny targets—like drones—so Australia is sending E-7(s) to the Middle East: * https://www.twz.com/air/massive-leap-in-ability-to-spot-iranian-drones-headed-to-persian-gulf https://www.twz.com/air/massive-leap-in-ability-to-spot-iran... Congress rebuffed the Pentagon's attempted to 'completely kill' E-7 acquisitions, and the USAF has now put in an order, and it may be that people now realizing having some number of E-7s may be handy: * https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/following-congressional-rebuke-air-force-awards-e-7-contracts/ https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/following-congressional-...

markhahn 7mo ago
little unclear what drove the E-7 thing - my impression is that accelerationists on the political side wanted to push for space-based defense, and drove the attempt to cancel. it is a reasonable point that any airborne radar is an attractive target to long-range missile. and that if your radar is in space, it's a different, less available class of missile to attack it (and also that so far treating space as contested is taboo). the recent loss of THAAD radar should also make people rethink how to make an emitter that survives the first round of missiles.
- defrost 7mo ago
  Thanks to you both for the interesting comments. From a combination of both curiousity and a long standing ANZAC tradition of ribbing allies, I have to ask ... Did these accelerationists push for space based mine sweepers as well?? Not sure I've seen a less prepared, plan absent, voluntary own choice entry into combat. No drama, I'm sure the current circumstances don't sit well with many.

markhahn 7mo ago

little unclear what drove the E-7 thing - my impression is that accelerationists on the political side wanted to push for space-based defense, and drove the attempt to cancel. it is a reasonable point that any airborne radar is an attractive target to long-range missile. and that if your radar is in space, it's a different, less available class of missile to attack it (and also that so far treating space as contested is taboo). the recent loss of THAAD radar should also make people rethink how to make an emitter that survives the first round of missiles.

defrost 7mo ago
Thanks to you both for the interesting comments. From a combination of both curiousity and a long standing ANZAC tradition of ribbing allies, I have to ask ... Did these accelerationists push for space based mine sweepers as well?? Not sure I've seen a less prepared, plan absent, voluntary own choice entry into combat. No drama, I'm sure the current circumstances don't sit well with many.