Northrop Grumman will be pursuing its consideration of the new Fairchild Dornier 728JET regional jet as a future airborne early warning (AEW) platform at the show.
The suggestion that the 728JET could fulfil this new role was raised earlier this month (Flight International, 18-24 July). Very early discussions have taken place, and Northrop Grumman will be seeking further contacts at Farnborough. Its chalet is almost adjacent to Fairchild's.
"We've only talked on the phone so far, so we're happy they are right next to us," says Gary O'Loughlin, Northrop Grumman's director, international business development, Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Warfare Systems. "We do have some meetings to discuss this."
Northrop Grumman is looking at several potential future AEW options beyond the current E-2C Hawkeye, says O'Loughlin. These include using existing or future sensors and a variety of platforms. The latter include airliners in the 130 to150-seat class, such as the Boeing 737, as well as the smaller 728JET, which will have life-cycle cost advantages over the Boeing aircraft.
Source: Flight Daily News
