Geoff Thomas
Swedish company Ericsson Microwave Systems has two of its Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems at Farnborough '98, one on view in the static park and one in the flying display.
The company hopes to attract customers from around the world, primarily those who do not need or want the cost or complexity of a 'rotodome' radar system.
Both of the Swedish systems are shown on Saab 340 aircraft, although Ericsson is actively seeking international customers for the upgraded system which it is installing on Embraer's ERJ145 regional jet and building for Brazil's SIVAM anti-smuggling programme in the Amazon basin.
To this end, Ericsson has teamed with Thomson-CSF of France to supply a fully NATO compatible, long-range AEW&C system, based on the latest technology from two of the leading defence electronics companies in Europe.
Should Greece opt to buy the Erieye AEW&C rather than the competing systems from Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, the Greek aviation industry would participate in the design, manufacture and maintenance of the system.
The system itself features an active, phased-array radar. The antenna is fixed and the radar beam is electronically scanned through 360° with optimum performance in dual 150° sideways sectors.
INTELLIGENT
Controlled by an intelligent and automatic energy management system, the beam can transmit in any direction from pulse to pulse and the system optimises the beam position. Ericsson claims that this provides quicker detection verification, increased range and improved tracking when compared with 'rotodome' systems.
With many countries around the world needing AEW&C systems - but being unable to afford them - Ericsson claims that the Erieye is the cost-effective solution as the system can easily be carried by most medium-sized commuter aircraft or military transports.
Source: Flight Daily News
