C-295 MPA

First Airbus Military C295 with AEW&C rotodome completes maiden flight

You’ve read my mind. 😀

perhaps they felt the good old rotodome is less airframe-specific

Like the rotodome of the E-2 Hawkeye?

It was also fitted to P-3s (U.S. Customs Service CBR P-3 AEW) & a C-130 (U.S. Coast Guard EC-130V/USAF NH-130H).

It could be turned into a fixed radome with three AESA arrays.

Like the 3-panel Phalcon ESA in the Beriev A-50E/I Mainstay (Beriev-modified Il-76)?

Interesting that they’re testing a rotodome, rather than the fixed fore and aft mount of the Erieye & 737 AEW. I see the justification is all-round coverage. You can get round blind spots in a fore and aft array with secondary radars, as both the 737 & G550 show, but perhaps they felt the good old rotodome is less airframe-specific, & equal coverage in every direction & simpler software is worth the greater mechanical complexity.

It doesn’t necessary mean they’re committed to a rotating antenna. It could be turned into a fixed radome with three AESA arrays.

Or you could wait until they at least prove the initial testing 😉

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/18/356889/pictures-airbus-military-lifts-veil-on-c-295-aew-study.html

Which game is it for?

could a version be built to serve as a AEW&C or is it too small?

You need to factor in the cost of integrating this new system, and how it compares to just buying off the shelf an existing AWACS that uses a bigger, more capable, more expensive platform.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3ab2e923e8-0f7f-4742-a3b2-810a52e706dc&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?198351-Airbus-military-C295-AWACs-Will-it-take-off

heh lol

i decided to go with a ERJ145 with AEW&C systems (straightbox type) just because the design already exists and my “nation” doesn’t want to fund the systems integration.

uhm, eri-eye … Ericson …. Sweden … haaaa – Saab [Microwave Systems, formerly Ericsson Microwave Systems). :rolleyes:

http://www.enfoque-estrategico.com/reportajes/medios_aew_2.htm

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/15/315879/picture-saab-unveils-c-295-erieye-concept.html

Quite right

The times i mix up the swiss and sweedes – i should be ashamed of myself

the swiss EYRIE

uhm, eri-eye … Ericsson …. Sweden … haaaa – Saab [Microwave Systems, formerly Ericsson Microwave Systems). :rolleyes:

The case of Chile is more urgent….An alternative new potential can be version AEW of the C-295, that EADS CASA has begun to promote energetically in Poland, and that also would be equipped with the ubiquitous Erieye system of SAAB Microwave…EADS CASA takes to some years studying this project, anticipating a requirement of the Air Force of Spain that has taken in materializing itself, but seems to be it refocusing today towards those countries that already operate the C-295 in their versions of transport and marine patrolling.

http://www.enfoque-estrategico.com/reportajes/medios_aew_2.htm

Flight International 15/09/08
Saab unveils C-295 Erieye concept
“Some preliminary studies into the possibility of installing the Erieye on both the C-295 and ATR aircraft have been made,” says the Swedish manufacturer, which first revealed plans to integrate the surveillance system on a high-wing aircraft design during July’s Farnborough air show

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/15/315879/picture-saab-unveils-c-295-erieye-concept.html

ok thanks I’m trying to put together a airforce (and military for that matter) on a budget for one of those nationstate games.

i suppose current hawkeye operators (non carrier) may consider it as a replacement particuarly if they use the C295 as mpa or cargo, but as you suggest its a bit low and slow and a larg biz jet or small jet comutor is probably the better chioce

Smaller aircraft have been successfully operating with the Erieye radar for over 10 years. It has about the same maximum T/O weight as the largest aircraft currently fitted with Erieye. As Lindermeyer says, no problem with size.

It also has more internal volume & cabin diameter than types currently fitted with Erieye, so no problem fitting in operators.

However, I think it could be less suitable in some other respects. It has relatively low service ceiling & speed.

Dimensions wise Yes, its a small commutor type size. take alook at the swiss EYRIE

Structure wise probably, although the whole ramp thing may have structural implications that preclude this.

Power wise I dont know – although adding bigger genarators for the task could be done.