Paul Lewis/SEOUL
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is offering the South Korean air force its Phalcon phased-array airborne-early-warning (AEW) radar system integrated on a Boeing 767 platform.
The Elta system being proposed is based on the multi-sensor L-band Phalcon package already in service with the Chilean air force on a Boeing 707. The 767 configuration would feature an additional rear-fuselage-mounted antenna to provide full 360¹ coverage.
IAI claims that the aft antenna would provide 100¹ of coverage out to 333km (180nm). The two conformal side-arrays can each be scanned through 80¹ out to a distance of 425km, or 370km over a wider, 260¹, sector when employed with the nose-mounted array.
The 767 Phalcon, will have be able to deal with up 500 targets, in either track-while-scan or full-track mode. The aircraft's larger fuselage would be able to accommodate up to 11 operator stations, compared to the four radar and two electronic and communication support measures (ESM and CSM) consoles installed in the Chilean 707.
The aircraft would employ, the same identification-friend-or-foe system and Elta EL/L-8300 0.5-18GHz ESM as fitted to the 707, with an optional frequency coverage of 18-40GHz. To give the South Korean AEW aircraft voice and data-link interoperability with US forces, the Israeli company is discussing making E-Systems its CSM prime contractor.
The longer-range, stretched 767-300ER version is considered the preferred choice. According to IAI, the modified 767 will have a maximum unrefuelled endurance of up to 10.5h, a range of 8,140km (5,400nm), an operation ceiling of 10,675m (35,000ft) and speed of Mach 0.75.
IAI is one of three manufacturers recently invited by South Korea to submit AEW proposals. Boeing is offering its 767 Airborne-Warning-and-Control System, fitted with a conventional rotodome and Westinghouse SPY-2 radar. Saab and Ericsson are proposing the Erieye phased-array radar.
South Korea is expected to issue a request for tenders in early 1997 and to finalise its selection in 1998. The air force has a requirement for four AEW aircraft, sufficient to operate one orbit over the South Korean peninsular.
See Seoul Air Show Report, P8.
Source: Flight International
