The two airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system aircraft that Italy will get from Israel – linked to the latter's acquisition of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 trainer – will have some "extra" capabilities, based mainly on the miniaturisation of the different building blocks.
Israel Aerospace Industries' Elta Systems subsidiary is currently manufacturing the AEW&C system selected by the Italian air force, with the service's modified Gulfstream G550 business jets expected to be delivered in late 2015.
The Israeli air force is to field a fleet of 30 M-346 trainers, which it will refer to as the "Lavi".
IAI has previously supplied G550-based AEW&C aircraft to the air forces of Israel and Singapore. These operate a combined six of the model, according to Flightglobal's Ascend Online Fleets database.
In a parallel effort, Elta continues to offer a version of its AEW&C package with the Airbus Defence & Space C295 – a radome-equipped demonstrator of which has already been shown to potential clients.
The G550 and C295 are offered with a full range of equipment, including an AEW radar, electronic intelligence and communications intelligence sensors, plus self-protection systems, command and control systems and a comprehensive communication suite – including datalinks and a satellite communication capability.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
