N626DS

This airframe, tail number N626DS, is a Boeing-built airliner completed in 2025 and assigned manufacturer serial 68738. It remains under the ownership of BOEING CO, a corporation based in Renton, WA, US, and is registered in the US; the airframe was delivered new to Boeing and retained for company mission fitment. Notable registry actions include its 2025 civil registration and immediate conversion to an AEW&C configuration; valuation and condition details are not published beyond factory delivery condition.

The airframe is configured for airborne early warning and control operations with a flight deck crew of Pilot + co-pilot and a dedicated mission bay laid out with approximately ten operator consoles for sensor and command staff. Its avionics fit is the E-7A mission suite, including the Boeing MESA AESA radar and integrated Link-16/Link-11 communications and mission systems, enabling tactical datalinks and cooperative engagement. Typical mission profiles are medium- to long-endurance AEW&C patrols leveraging the 3,010 nm ferry range and a 41,000 ft service ceiling; operations are staged from Boeing’s Renton facilities and other contractor or military bases as required. Maintenance considerations follow 737 NG airframe and CFM56-7B engine support practices, with additional specialized sustainment for the mission electronics and radar subsystems.

The airframe is a variant of the Boeing 737-700 family modified into an AEW&C mission platform, occupying a niche between dedicated large-platform AEW aircraft and smaller ISR solutions. Its performance—moderate cruise speed of 523 kts and transcontinental range—suits persistent airborne command roles while remaining based on widely supported commercial 737-700 logistics and maintenance infrastructure. Competing platforms are typically larger four-engine AEW types or smaller turboprop ISR aircraft; resale and market demand are limited given its specialized mission fit and retention by its manufacturer, increasing lifecycle sustainment complexity relative to standard passenger-configured 737-700s.