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Air Force To Retire E-11 BACN Fleet

April 30, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The US Air Force plans to retire its E-11 BACN fleet in fiscal 2028.
The fleet consists of seven aircraft.
The E-11s will be replaced by the emerging DAF Battle Network.
The Air Force has spent $296 million on the E-11 program since 2005.

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Strategic Implications

This decision may signal the Air Force's shift towards more integrated and advanced communication systems, such as the DAF Battle Network. The retirement of the E-11 fleet could indicate a move towards more efficient and cost-effective solutions, which may benefit the service's overall communication capabilities.

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What Happened

USAF Plans Divestment Of Battlefield Airborne Communication Node Aircraft

The US Air Force is planning to divest its E-11 Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (BACN) aircraft and retire the fleet in fiscal 2028. The decision was revealed in written testimony submitted to the House Appropriations defense subcommittee. The E-11s, which provide data relay capabilities, will be replaced by the emerging DAF Battle Network. The Air Force has spent a total of $296 million on the E-11 program since its inception in 2005. According to Breaking Defense, the service plans to integrate SATCOM terminals on various aircraft, including the KC-135 Stratotanker and the B-1 Lancer bomber.

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