Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the special clearance for the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail is related to challenges in integrating the Northrop Grumman Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array MESA radar with the aircraft.

The Wedgetail is not flying under any special clearance. The aircraft Test and Evaluation programme is being conducted under a Military Permit To Fly in accordance with Military Aviation Authority regulations. This allows the aircraft to be flown by Boeing during the test programme until delivery to the RAF. Once in Service the aircraft will have a Release to Service for flying. Safety is our number one priority, and we will always be compliant with regulations. The next stage of the test and evaluation programme is to calibrate the radar and this work commences on 18 July 2025. Once radar calibration has concluded, the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar will be in a position to be live tested.