The United States Air Force said it had reached a deal with Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab for the supply of E-7 Wedgetail airborne warning and control aircraft and downplayed concerns that the company's internal crisis would harm its ability to supply the Pentagon. The provisional deal covers the rapid production of prototypes as the Air Force phases out E-3 Sentry or AWACS airborne warning and control aircraft, and follows reports of disagreements over the price for the 737-based Wedgetail plane