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SAAB 2000 Erieye AWE&C - a knol by Vijainder K Thakur
SAAB 2000 Erieye AWE&C
The system comprises a Ericsson PS-890 Erieye radar mounted on a Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft
Pakistan placed an order for seven SAAB 2000 & ERIEYE AWE&C systems with deliveries starting 2009 under a SEK 8.3 billion deal signed in October 2005. The deal was revised in May 2007 and the order value reduced by SEK 1.35 billion, with the number of systems to be delivered reportedly reduced to five.
The Saab 2000 Eriey AEW&C combines a modern turboprop aircraft with an advanced technology sensor system to provide a highly capable yet cost effective surveillance platform. The primary role of the Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C is to detect and track targets. The Saab 2000 aircraft is able to in incorporate high speed dash with low speed loitering capability, with inherent fuel efficiency that meets demanding AEW&C requirements for performing a 180 degree turn in less than 30 seconds with an endurance of more than 9 hours.
The Ericsson PS-890 Erieye radar uses an active array with 200 solid state modules. The range of the S-band, 3 GHz, and side looking radar is 300 km. The 1,985-lb (900-kg) dorsal antenna is housed in a 29-ft 6.3-in (9-m) long box radome mounted atop the fuselage. Utilizing adaptive side lobe suppression, the look angle on each side is about 160 degrees. From its standard operational altitude of 6000 metres (19,685 feet, or FL200) the radar has a maximum range of 450 km (279 miles). Against a fighter-sized target effective range is approximately 330 km (205 miles). Seaborne targets can be detected at 320 km (198 miles), though this is a function of the aircraft’s cruising height. The electronically scanned antenna can scan sectors of interest frequently while others are monitored, and a single sector can be scanned in different modes at the same time.
A statement released by PAF in April 2008 stated:
"The Pakistan Air Force achieved a major landmark in its Airborne Early Warning Program with the roll out of its first SaaB2000 AEW & C in a simple but impressive ceremony at the Saab facility in Sweden."
The aircraft will be put through trials before being delivered to the PAF in 2009, PAF officials said.
Limitations
The limitation of the two sided array is that it can only cover two 120 degree sectors abeam of the aircraft, leaving 60 degree blind sectors over the nose and tail of the aircraft, and reduced antenna performance from 45 degrees off the beam aspect. Another limitation stems from the use of an airframe too small to accommodate a comprehensive self contained command, control and communications system, and other sensors such as a capable ESM and track association system.
It has been reported that the systems being delivered to Pakistan will house a limited number of controllers. Even if they do, they will probably continue to use data links to a ground control system for more comprehensive control in view of the gaps in its coverage.
Saab - Start page
AEW&C - Phased Array Technology Parts 1 & 2
SAAB 2000 Erieye AWE&C
The system comprises a Ericsson PS-890 Erieye radar mounted on a Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft
Pakistan placed an order for seven SAAB 2000 & ERIEYE AWE&C systems with deliveries starting 2009 under a SEK 8.3 billion deal signed in October 2005. The deal was revised in May 2007 and the order value reduced by SEK 1.35 billion, with the number of systems to be delivered reportedly reduced to five.
The Saab 2000 Eriey AEW&C combines a modern turboprop aircraft with an advanced technology sensor system to provide a highly capable yet cost effective surveillance platform. The primary role of the Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C is to detect and track targets. The Saab 2000 aircraft is able to in incorporate high speed dash with low speed loitering capability, with inherent fuel efficiency that meets demanding AEW&C requirements for performing a 180 degree turn in less than 30 seconds with an endurance of more than 9 hours.
The Ericsson PS-890 Erieye radar uses an active array with 200 solid state modules. The range of the S-band, 3 GHz, and side looking radar is 300 km. The 1,985-lb (900-kg) dorsal antenna is housed in a 29-ft 6.3-in (9-m) long box radome mounted atop the fuselage. Utilizing adaptive side lobe suppression, the look angle on each side is about 160 degrees. From its standard operational altitude of 6000 metres (19,685 feet, or FL200) the radar has a maximum range of 450 km (279 miles). Against a fighter-sized target effective range is approximately 330 km (205 miles). Seaborne targets can be detected at 320 km (198 miles), though this is a function of the aircraft’s cruising height. The electronically scanned antenna can scan sectors of interest frequently while others are monitored, and a single sector can be scanned in different modes at the same time.
A statement released by PAF in April 2008 stated:
"The Pakistan Air Force achieved a major landmark in its Airborne Early Warning Program with the roll out of its first SaaB2000 AEW & C in a simple but impressive ceremony at the Saab facility in Sweden."
The aircraft will be put through trials before being delivered to the PAF in 2009, PAF officials said.
Limitations
The limitation of the two sided array is that it can only cover two 120 degree sectors abeam of the aircraft, leaving 60 degree blind sectors over the nose and tail of the aircraft, and reduced antenna performance from 45 degrees off the beam aspect. Another limitation stems from the use of an airframe too small to accommodate a comprehensive self contained command, control and communications system, and other sensors such as a capable ESM and track association system.
It has been reported that the systems being delivered to Pakistan will house a limited number of controllers. Even if they do, they will probably continue to use data links to a ground control system for more comprehensive control in view of the gaps in its coverage.
Saab - Start page
AEW&C - Phased Array Technology Parts 1 & 2