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Date Posted: 13-May-2004
JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY – MAY 19, 2004
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Israel reveals Phalcon configuration aboard G550 jet
Michael J Gething JDW Aerospace Consultant
London
Additional reporting Alon Ben-David JDW Correspondent
Tel Aviv
Elta Electronics, a subsidiary of Israel Aircraft Industries, has released the first artist’s rendering showing the configuration of the Gulfstream Aerospace G550 Compact Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) aircraft for the Israel Air Force. The first platform will be delivered in early 2005.
Under the terms of an August 2003 contract, valued at $473 million, Gulfstream will supply four G550 long-range business jets (with an option for two more) for use in the CAEW programme.
The latest information indicates that only two of these four aircraft will be equipped for the CAEW role, while the other two will be used for ‘intelligence’.
Jane’s analysis suggests that this might indicate a ground-surveillance role, similar to the US Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System or UK Airborne Stand-off Radar programmes.
The contract also includes a 10-year logistics support package (JDW 10 September 2003). Initial crew training on the G550 simulator in the US was completed in February.
The heart of CAEW is Elta’s Phalcon AEW system. The AEW configuration comprises one fixed antenna mounted on either side of the fuselage in a conformal ‘bulge’ between the wing and cockpit area.
The slightly bulged nose and tail radomes suggest fixed fore- and aft-looking antennas to give 360º coverage.
The Phalcon system also includes electronic support, electronic intelligence (ELINT) and communications intelligence (COMINT) capabilities. The underwing pod probably relates to these capacities.
However, according to Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, Gulfstream already has a separate $174 million contract (received in December 2001) to supply three signals-intelligence (SIGINT)-configured Gulfstream V aircraft.
In April 2002, the Israeli Ministry of Defence awarded Elta a contract to provide three ‘next-generation’ SIGINT systems for installation on the three G500 aircraft (as the Gulfstream V was redesignated).
This suite is likely to be based on Elta’s EL/I-3001 Airborne Integrated SIGINT System.
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May 13, 2004 at 9:29 pm