AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING 40 mm S-band transceiver units that drive the S-band portion of combined 9.9 kg, 704 x 900 mm L- (IFF) and S-band (radar) Integrated Antenna Array (IAA) tiles. In turn, the IAAs form the side panels of an 8.24 m long, plankshaped Active Array Antenna Unit (AAAU) that is mounted on pylons above the host aircraft’s rear fuselage. Cooling appears to rely on air passing through an AAAU long duct and the radar’s operating modes are said to include search, track-while-scan, priority tracking and high performance tracking. Again, the radar is thought to offer 240° coverage in azimuth and a target detection range of between 250 and 370 km. As might be expected, this ambitious effort has run into developmental problems which could delay the programme by up to three years. Nonethe-less, India is keeping faith with the programme and is set to receive the prototype airframe for fitting out with its mission system by the end of 2011. Returning to the article’s alphabetic coverage, Japan’s E-2Cs are supported by a quartet of Boeing E-767 AEW & C aircraft that are based on a militarised Boeing 767-200ER airliner airframe and are equipped with Northrop Grumman’s AN/APY-2 surveillance radar. Effectively the American Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) architecture mounted in a Boeing 767 rather than a Boeing E-3, the JASDF’s four E-767s are assigned to the service’s Hiko Keikai Kanseita (Air Warning Control Squadron) at Hamamatsu and have most recently received the Radar System Improvement Program (RISP) upgrade for The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered two Saab 340 AEW aircraft © Saab/Peter Liander
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The RSAF is replacing its E-2C GroupO AEW & C aircraft with four G550-AEW CAEW platforms © Michael J Gething
their radars. RISP improves the AN/APY-2’s effectiveness against aircraft and cruise missiles and includes new pulse compressed waveforms, an improved man-machine interface, new adaptive signal processors, enhanced data sampling and range/velocity resolution, better electronic counter-countermeasures provision and improved system maintainability/reliability. Alongside the ZDK-03, Pakistan has procured as many as five Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft that are equipped with the Erieye active phased array pulse Doppler radar, Saab’s HES-21 self-protection and electronic support system, an IFF capability and five Saabsourced operator stations. In terms of programmatics, Pakistan signed a ‘provisional contract’ for an ‘airborne surveillance system’ with Saab during October 2005. Initially, six aircraft were ordered, with the number being thought to have dropped to five following contract re-negotiations dur-
ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
ing 2007. The first Pakistani Saab 2000 AEW & C aircraft was handed over on 8 December 2009, at which time the Pakistan Air Force was understood to be intending to assign the type to its No 3 Squadron at Islamabad. Elsewhere in the region, the Erieye radar also forms the primary sensor aboard the Saab 340 AEW & C platforms that Thailand has procured/is procuring. Forming part of a wider deal that includes a ground-based air defence network and the JAS-39 Gripen multi-role combat aircraft, the first of two Saab 340 AEW & Cs (the second aircraft
The RSAF is receiving four IAI Gulfstream G550-AEW CAEW aircraft to replace its existing E-2C Group O AEW&C platforms
being ordered on 23 November 2010) was handed over to the Royal Thai Air Force on 13 November 2010. As noted earlier, the RSAF is receiving four IAI Gulfstream G550-AEW CAEW aircraft to replace its existing E-2C Group O AEW&C platforms. As its designation suggests, the G550-AEW is based on the Gulfstream G550 long-range business jet and is equipped with the Elta Systems EL/W2085 mission suite that includes a dual-band (L-/S-band) AESA AEW radar, an integrated IFF sub-system, communications and electronic intelligence/electronic support provision and six operator stations. The first indication of a Singaporean G550-AEW procurement came in a speech given by Singapore’s then Minister of Defence Teo Chee Hean during April 2007. The first such aircraft was handed over on 19 February 2009 at which time, the type’s assignment to the RSAF’s No 111 Squadron was confirmed.