The Israeli defence ministry has awarded Gulfstream a $473 million contract to supply four G550 business jets for use as platforms for the Israeli air force's airborne early warning radars.
The contract includes options for two more aircraft and a 10-year support package based on annual flying hours. Delivery of the four aircraft on firm order are due to begin in 2005.
The Israeli air force contracted Israel Aircraft Industries' Elta division last year to convert four G550s, one for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and the others with the Phalcon AEW phased array radar and other sensors. Four antennas distributed around the airframe will provide 360° coverage (Flight International, 10-16 June).
The air force had intended to combine the SIGINT and AEW mission - previously performed by long-grounded Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeyes - into a single platform. The G550 is too small for this and another option, the Boeing 737, was considered too expensive.
Source: Flight International
