Embraer and ELTA Systems Ltd (ELTA) are teaming to develop a new airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft based on the super mid-sized platform of Embraer’s Praetor 600 business jet.
The two companies announced on 18 June at the Paris Air Show that they signed a strategic co-operation agreement to develop the system. Designed to compete in a new segment of the AEW market, the aircraft’s primary sensor will be the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)/ELTA fourth-generation digital active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with integration identification friend or foe (IFF) capabilities, the two companies said in a joint statement. ELTA is an IAI subsidiary.
Artist’s illustration of the new Embraer-IAI P600 AEW aircraft announced at the 2019 Paris Air Show. (Embraer)
Embraer will provide the air platform, ground support, communications systems, and aircraft integration. ELTA will provide the AEW radar, signals intelligence (SIGINT), and other electronic systems and system integration.
ELTA and Embraer believe this new AEW aircraft will fill a niche by offering the benefits of cutting edge, proven systems and proven capabilities that are usually only in larger aircraft such as Boeing’s 707 or 767 commercial aircraft. The two companies touted the new system’s intercontinental range with short turn-around time and low life-cycle costs.
The P600 AEW can provide an extended air situational picture by monitoring aerial activity in areas outside of ground radar coverage. It can also perform various missions such as air defence, early warning, command and control (C2), fighter fleet efficiency, territorial defence, and maritime surveillance. The new system can also be configured with the full range of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) sensor and control systems.
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