The First Compact Airborne Early Warning G550 Landed Yesterday in Israel
Sep 20, 2006
Israel Aircraft Industries' Subsidiary Elta System will Install Conformal AEW Systems Onboard the Aircraft
A Gulfsteam G550 aircraft arrived in Israel yesterday (19 September 2006) and was accepted by the Israel Air Force. The aircraft will be now turned over to Israel Aircraft Industries' Elta Systems Group and Subsidiary for the installation of a new generation Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) system.
Elta Systems is the prime contractor, system developer and system integrator on this program for the Israel Air Force.
When Elta's systems are installed, the completed aircraft will be one of the most advanced Airborne Early Warning aircraft in the world. The CAEW system will be used for intelligence gathering and air combat command and control missions.
Prior to delivery to the Israel Air Force, the aircraft was modified by Gulfstream to accommodate all the electronic equipment. The modified G550 then underwent a series of flight tests in the United States to verify in-flight performance and airworthiness.
Israel Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Elyezer Shkedy (photo – left side) said yesterday at the ceremony: "The new aircraft will utilize advanced radar systems made by IAI/Elta and will play a substantial role in displaying aerial information. Its capabilities are beyond what we have today".
Elta Systems' President, Mr. Nissim Hadas (photo – right side) explained the aircraft's characteristics and said: "Installing an advanced AEW system on such a compact aircraft is a tremendous engineering challenge. It is a great advantage to the air force, since this aircraft will provide better capabilities with lower operational and maintenance costs. Elta will continue to support the Israel Air Force and provide it the most advanced technologies."
Special features of the Elta CAEW system and aircraft are:
• Two radar systems which operate simultaneously in different frequency bands.
• Full 360 degrees detection capability.
• Advanced signal processors that allow very high detection ability.
• Unique system architecture that allows adaptation of all communication suites.
• High altitude flight profile that insures detection of low flying targets at very long ranges.
• Very low operational and maintenance costs.
The Israel Air Force G550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning aircraft will comprise the third generation early warning system that was developed by Elta starting in the mid 1980s.
Elta and Israel Air Force studies showed that a business jet such as Gulfstream G550 is a more efficient and cost-effective platform than large airline-type aircraft.
Israel Aircraft Industries is a recognized leader in the aerospace and defense industry and Israel’s largest industrial exporter. Elta Systems, a Group and a wholly owned Subsidiary of IAI, is one of Israel's leading defense electronics companies and a leader in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), Early Warning and Control, Home-Land Security (HLS), Self-Protection and Self-Defense and Fire Control applications.
Elta's annual sales reach approximately $700 million with 3000 employees
For further information, please contact:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corp. VP for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 935-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@iai.co.il
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