Beth Stevenson

Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta Systems and Embraer signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop an airborne early warning (AEW) variant of the Praetor 600 business jet on Tuesday at the Paris Air Show. The P600 AEW is targeting a new segment of the airborne early warning market, namely one for air forces with lower defense budgets that want to be able to operate this type of capability, but is typically only operated by a limited number of nations.

 


Under the agreement, Embraer is charged with the aircraft, ground support, and communications provision, while Elta will deliver the S-band active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar, signals intelligence system, and other electronics and associated integration. Elta is providing its 4th generation AESA radar technology that it offers for other applications, which includes the electronic radar modules being compressed into a tile formation that reduces power consumption.

 


One of the main differences between this version of the radar and other ones made for this application by IAI is that this one has 240-degree coverage and the high-end ones have full 360 degrees. Three operator stations will be found on board, and a prototype will not be built until a customer commits to an acquisition—although IAI has already been flying the system aboard its Boeing 737 testbed.

 


The companies will use their respective market presence to pitch to potential customers, selecting which one takes the lead as prime depending on the operator.

 


IAI provides a range of AEW aircraft based on different platforms, including the G550-derived Conformal AEW that is operated by Italy, Israel, and Singapore, and considers this a new type of capability within that family.

 


“A relatively small group of nations can afford the other available systems,” Avishai Izhakian, deputy general manager for the airborne systems and radars division at Elta, told AIN. “Many want to join the club, but can’t afford these capabilities.”

 


The companies are therefore targeting a balance in terms of capability and price, offering a scaled version of the radar and mission system on a more affordable platform. “We’ve leveraged the technology to come up with this new capability,” Izhakian added.

 


The Praetor 600 in this configuration can operate at altitudes of 40,000 feet, which Izhakian noted is prime for this type of application so that it is operated above other types of military aircraft.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

IAI and Embraer To Develop Praetor 600-based AEW Aircraft

IAI and Embraer have signed an agreement to integrate an AEW capability onto the Praetor 600 business jet 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Inventory fell by nearly a third year over year as resale transactions hit Q2 record

Asking Prices Disappear from ULR Bizjets, Says Jet Match

Kerry Lynch

Trump calls for a ban on Bombardier products

Amid Trade War, Trump Takes Aim at Bombardier Once More

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Aircraft