Thread by @LandSharkUK

There are a handful of good options for the RAF's E3 replacement.

Here are the two most realistic;
Boeing E-7 Wedgetail
Saab / bombardier global eye.

(Thread)

Here are 3 less realistic options, and one option for unicorns.

The Japanese Boeing E-767 
The Japanese extended range E-2
The Israeli IAI EL/W-2085
The Hogwarts A330 AEW

Let's compare the top 2 options;

Both are fixed panel arrays, but only the Boeing manages 360 degrees of coverage, global eye only has side panels resulting in 300 degrees of coverage. 

The Boeing has additional panels facing forward and back & these are less sensitive.

The Erieye ER on the global eye is the more technically advanced radar, it's the only gallium radar in the air, yeilding far greater energy transmitted per kilogram.

Also, importantly, gallium radars are suppose to preform better in the lower frequencies, which is more effective against today's low observable aircraft.

The Boeing is bigger, which importantly allows more operator stations, whilst the smaller globaleye features 5 station cheaper, it is cheaper to buy and run.

Mission endurance is very similar, with the global express flying higher and faster.

The global eye feature some nice additional features, with an optical sensor and another radar on its belly it's has a mid range maritime surveillance role, as well as a ground moving target indicator to support land forces.

The Boeing has nothing comparable.

Importantly both exists and both are already flying.

The E7 is in service with the Australian's, who are very positive about its performance, as wll as turkey and Korea

The global eye has only been ordered by the UAE, and the first one is currently on flight trials.

Price is difficult to tell, but indications are the E7 is significantly more expensive than the global eye.

The RAF should have a competition between these 2 platforms to find out which offer the best value.