The Italian air force’s first of two Gulfstream G550 business jets to undergo modification to an airborne early warning and control system configuration, appears set for delivery to the service.

Pictured during a stop at Shannon airport in Ireland on 30 September, the aircraft – which carries a temporary US registration – had been flown from Gulfstream’s Savannah facility in Georgia, and later departed for Tel Aviv. Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta Systems business unit is responsible for the integration of its AEW radars and other mission equipment.

G550 AEW Italy - AirTeamImages

AirTeamImages

The Italian air force – which ordered its new surveillance aircraft in July 2012 – is to follow Israel and Singapore in operating the AEW-adapted G550. Flightglobal’s Fleets Analyzer database records its lead example as being scheduled for delivery on 15 October.

Source: FlightGlobal.com