AWACSacronym in English for Airborne Warning and Control Systemis the system of aerial surveillance which is used for the detection and tracking of aircraft and other objects in a country’s airspace. This system is based on aircraft equipped with Long-range radars and advanced communication systems which allow control over a wide area. France currently has 4 of them corresponding to the model E-3F Sentry of BoeingThis is an AWACS whose first version entered service in 1977 and which is part of the French Air Force.since the early 90sAccording to Intelligence Online, the neighboring country is finalizing an agreement with the Swedish company Saab for the acquisition of surveillance aircraft GlobalEyea AEW&Can acronym for airborne early warning and control, with which it hopes to replace the aging E-3Fs in its fleet.
The GlobalEye has been chosen over competitors such as the Wedgetail E-7A of Boeing and with it France follows in the footsteps of Sweden and United Arab Emiratesthe only countries that have or will have this aircraft that entered service for the first time in 2020, in their armies. UAE has 4 of them operational while Sweden has ordered 3 that will begin to receive in 2027. France will be the third country to have this aircraft on which Canada and Greece have also shown interest.
GlobalEye is an aerial surveillance system multi-role based on the plane Bombardier Global 6000/6500. It offers a wide range of surveillance capabilities, including air, sea and land monitoring and is especially known for its advanced radar system, the Erieye ERan acronym for Extended Range. It is an S-band AESA radar that provides long-range detection capabilities in complex environments.
Weighing about a ton, it is mounted on the fuselage of the twin-engine. Saab has cited a range of up to 450 km for radar system AEWan acronym for Airborne Early Warning, when flying at an operational altitude of 9,000 meters and 550 km to 10,600 metersCompared to previous versions of the Erieye radar, Saab claims to have achieved an increase in 70% in detection range by using new technologies such as gallium nitride transmit/receive modules. According to the manufacturer, the GlobalEye is capable of detecting and tracking a combination of airborne and surface targets, the latter both on land and at sea, with mission times of up to eleven hours duration.
In addition to the AEW radar, the GlobalEye is equipped with other sensors including the maritime surveillance radar Seaspray 7500Eprovided by the Italian defense conglomerate Leonardo. The Seaspray features synthetic aperture radar and land-based moving target indication modes.
The GlobalEye also has a electro-optical/infrared sensorwhich is located under the forward fuselage. Other equipment include data links, voice and satellite communications and a command and control suite, the latter comprising five onboard operator stations. Saab’s aircraft can perform multiple roles and switch between them at any time during a missionmaking it highly versatile. It was first ordered by the United Arab Emirates in 2015, with a contract worth $1.27 billion to provide a new generation of interchangeable role aerial surveillance systems. The aircraft is capable of operating from short runways, offers low noise levels and is expected to France takes a leap forward in its surveillance capabilities.