• SAAB GlobalEye
A Globaleye taking off during RIAT 2023
Role Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C)
Manufacturer
First flight March 2018
Introduction April 2020
Status In service
Primary user United Arab Emirates Air Force
Number built 5
Developed from Bombardier Global 6000 (aircraft)

Erieye (AEW&C radar system)

GlobalEye is a multi-role airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) platform from Swedish defence and security company Saab. GlobalEye consists of a suite of sensors using Saab's Erieye ER (Extended Range) radar and mission system, installed in the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 long-range business jet.[1][2][3]

Development

During February 2016, Swedish defence company Saab announced the launch of a programme to integrate a variant of their Erieye radar system upon the Canadian Bombardier Global 6000, a long range business jet, to produce a specialised airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft. This platform is commonly referred to as GlobalEye.[4] Saab stated that the launch was in response to expressions of interest from potential customers.[5] Prior to the development of the GlobalEye, Saab had fitted the Erieye onto several separate AEW platforms, including the Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C and the Brazilian Embraer R-99.[6] To facilitate the programme, Saab secured a supplemental type certificate, authorising the modification of the existing Global 6000 to the GlobalEye configuration.[7]

The manufacturing process involves the delivery of fully completed Global 6000s to Saab's facility in Linköping, where they undergo an extensive conversion process.[7] Modifications include the strengthening of both the airframe and wing, enabling the carriage of the Erieye radar along with other sensors and wingtip-mounted equipment for electronic warfare purposes. Aerodynamic changes include the adoption of an extended tailfin, along with several ventral strakes located beneath the rear fuselage.[7] Additional power and cooling equipment is also fitted. To improve survivability, a self-protection suite comprising laser and radar warning receivers, as well as countermeasures dispensers, is installed.[7] In early 2018, Saab observed that it could produce up to three GlobalEyes per year and could commence deliveries within three years of receiving a contract.[7]

On 23 February 2018, Saab unveiled the first GlobalEye surveillance aircraft;[8] days later, it commenced ground testing in advance of the type's first flight.[7] On 14 March 2018, the first GlobalEye conducted its maiden flight from Linköping; flown by Saab experimental test pilot Magnus Fredriksson, this first flight lasted for 1 hour and 46 minutes.[9][10] By July 2018, the flight test programme was focused on expanding the aircraft's flight envelope; according to Saab's vice-president of airborne surveillance systems Lars Tossman, the first aircraft was being flown "more or less every day", and that no surprises had been uncovered during these flights.[11] On 3 January 2019, the second aircraft performed its first flight.[12] During May 2019, Saab stated that it was nearing the end of the flight testing phase relating to certification.[13]

Design

The primary sensor of the GlobalEye is its Erieye ER airborne early warning (AEW) radar; weighing approximately 1 tonne, it is mounted atop the twinjet's fuselage.[7] Saab has cited up to 450 km (216 nm) range for the AEW radar system when flown at an operating altitude of 30,000 ft;[14] and 550 km at 35,000 ft[15] in comparison with earlier versions of the Erieye radar, Saab claims it has achieved a 70% increase in detection range, achieved via the use of new technology, such as gallium nitride transmit/receive modules.[7] According to Saab Group, the GlobalEye is capable of detecting and tracking a combination of airborne and surface targets, the latter on both land and sea, while mission times of up to eleven hours in duration are possible.[16]

In addition to the AEW radar, the GlobalEye is equipped with various additional sensors. These include the Seaspray 7500E maritime surveillance radar, provided by Italian defence conglomerate Leonardo; the Seaspray radar features synthetic-aperture radar and ground-oriented moving target indication modes.[17][7] The GlobalEye also has an electro-optical/infrared sensor, which is situated underneath the forward fuselage. Other mission equipment includes data links, voice and satellite communications and a command and control suite, the latter comprising five onboard operator stations.[7] The GlobalEye can be operated without any onboard operators, streaming its surveillance output to ground-based stations instead. GlobalEye can simultaneously perform airborne, maritime and ground surveillance duties.[18][7][19][20] It has been offered with three layers of capability: the baseline AESA and C2 system for air, land and sea surveillance, along with some electronic intelligence functions; a version with additional infrared and sea-search functionality; and one with a dedicated signals intelligence (SIGINT) system.[4]

Operational history

During November 2015, the United Arab Emirates ordered the system, which it refers to as the Swing Role Surveillance System (SRSS), as part of a US$1.27 billion deal.[21][22] During February 2017, the UAE exercised an option to procure an additional third GlobalEye in a deal worth US$238 million.[23][24] According to UAE air force chief Ibrahim Naser Al Alawi, the GlobalEye should be a "strong force multiplier...an early warning radar which is capable also of detecting ballistic missiles, and to cover the whole domain as an air power".[7] By May 2019, lead elements, including ground control stations, had been delivered to the UAE.[13] The UAE took delivery of its first Globaleye as per schedule on 29 April 2020[25][26] and the second delivery 30 September 2020[27] the third was delivered 20 February 2021[28] On 4 January 2021, Saab announced that it had received a follow on contract from the UAE for the supply of two more GlobalEye systems, valued at US$1.018 billion and scheduled for delivery by 2025.[29]

Operators

Current operators

  • United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Air Force: Currently operates 3 GlobalEye aircraft with an additional 2 on order scheduled for delivery in 2025 at a total cost of 23 billion SEK.[30] In November 2023, SAAB announced the maiden flight of the fifth and final GlobalEye for the UAE air force. [31]

Future operators

  • Sweden Swedish Air Force: On 30 June 2022, SAAB and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) signed a contract for the acquisition of 2 GlobalEye aircraft, to be designated S 106 in Swedish service. The deal is valued at 7.3 billion SEK (US$710 million) and deliveries are scheduled for 2027. The contract also includes the option to procure up to 2 additional GlobalEye aircraft.[32][33]

Potential operators

Failed bids

References

  1. ↑ "Saab launches GlobalEye multi-role airborne surveillance system". Airforce Technology. 17 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Redefining the airborne surveillance market" (PDF). Saab. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-07.
  3. ↑ "Fifth Global Arrives at Saab for GlobalEye Conversion". AIN Online. 26 August 2021.
  4. 1 2 Stevenson, Beth. "SINGAPORE: Saab introduces GlobalEye AEW aircraft." Flight International, 16 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Hoyle, Craig. "UAE deal drives interest in Saab's GlobalEye." Flight International, 24 May 2016.
  6. ↑ Hoyle, Craig. "ANALYSIS: How 'Skibox' unit defends Swedish skies." Flight International, 22 May 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hoyle, Craig. "Saab has sky-high sales hopes for GlobalEye." Flight International, 28 February 2018.
  8. ↑ Hoyle, Craig. "PICTURE: Saab unveils first GlobalEye for UAE." Flight International, 23 February 2018.
  9. ↑ "Successful First Flight for GlobalEye" (Press release). SAAB. 14 March 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-03-14.
  10. ↑ Hoyle, Craig. "PICTURES: Saab's GlobalEye makes flight debut." Flight International, 14 March 2018.
  11. ↑ Waldron, Greg. "FARNBOROUGH: Saab GlobalEye flight campaign well under way." Flight International, 17 July 2018.
  12. ↑ Hoyle, Craig. "PICTURES: Saab's second GlobalEye makes flight debut for UAE." Flight International, 7 January 2019.
  13. 1 2 Hoyle, Craig. "Saab targets April delivery for UAE's first GlobalEye." Flight International, 24 May 2019.
  14. ↑ Hoyle, Craig (6 November 2017). "Saab on a high with GlobalEye". Flightglobal.
  15. ↑ "Saab HX Update" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-06.
  16. ↑ "Saab's GlobalEye Redefines The Airborne Surveillance Market". Saab Corporate. 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-02-17.
  17. ↑ "Leonardo AESA surveillance radar technology will be on-board new Saab GlobalEye". Archived from the original on 2020-11-24.
  18. ↑ "Seminar About Saab's Sensor Technologies".
  19. ↑ "GlobalEye Performance beyond limits". Archived from the original on 2021-01-10.
  20. ↑ "GlobalEye Redefines Airborne Surveillance". Archived from the original on 2020-10-27.
  21. ↑ Hollosi, Charles (9 March 2016). "Fresh details of Saab's GlobalEye surveillance aircraft emerge". IHS Jane's 360. IHS. Archived from the original on 2016-12-15.
  22. ↑ Hoyle, Craig. "Saab adds to its AEW&C order backlog." Flight International, 31 May 2016.
  23. ↑ Binnie, Jeremy (23 February 2017). "IDEX 2017: UAE confirms order for third Saab GlobalEye". IHS Jane's 360. Abu Dhabi. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  24. ↑ Hoyle, Craig. "ANALYSIS: Saab on a high with GlobalEye." Flight International, 6 November 2017.
  25. ↑ Donald, David (29 April 2020). "First GlobalEye Handed Over to the UAE". AIN Online.
  26. ↑ "Saab Delivers the First GlobalEye". Archived from the original on 2020-10-31.
  27. ↑ "Saab Delivers Second GlobalEye". Archived from the original on 2020-10-02.
  28. ↑ "Saab Delivers Third GlobalEye". Archived from the original on 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
  29. ↑ "Saab receives follow-on contract for GlobalEye". Archived from the original on 4 January 2021.
  30. ↑ "Saab hands over UAE's third GlobalEye aircraft". Airforce Technology. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  31. ↑ "Saab's GlobalEye Achieves Remarkable Milestone with Fifth Successful Flight in Five Years". AviationWriter.au: Unveiling the Wonders and Mysteries of Aviation Through Engaging Writing. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  32. ↑ "Saab Receives Order for Two GlobalEye for Sweden". Start. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  33. ↑ "FMV beställer två GlobalEye till Försvarsmakten". www.fmv.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  34. ↑ "Συνάντηση με Εκπροσώπους της Εταιρείας "SAAB Technologies"". www.mod.mil.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  35. ↑ "Πολεμική Αεροπορία: Παρουσίαση του εναέριου ολοκληρωμένου συστήματος επιτήρησης GlobalEye από τη Saab". defencereview.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  36. ↑ ""Saab's Gripen offer to Finland includes GlobalEye"". Archived from the original on 2020-02-17.
  37. ↑ Jenning, Gareth (31 Jan 2020). "Saab launches Gripen and GlobalEye evaluations for Finland". Jane's Defence Weekly.
  38. ↑ Hoyle2023-02-21T12:41:00+00:00, Craig. "Saab pitches GlobalEye for NATO AWACS successor deal". Flight Global. Retrieved 2023-05-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. ↑ Newdick, Thomas (2023-11-15). "E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jet Chosen By NATO To Replace Aging E-3". The Drive. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
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