Just took a trip down to the show site and I found - this cool baby, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's G550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft.To my knowledge, this is the first time that the RSAF has publicly displayed this aircraft, about which it has been highly secretive. Singapore received its first aircraft in February 2009 and has ordered four of the G550s, which have been modified to carry the Elta conformal AEW platform.
While the RSAF has never confirmed the specifications, we understand that it has a similar configuration to the Israeli air force's G550-based conformal AEW (CAEW) aircraft, which entered service early 2008.
Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta says the CAEW platform offers a mission endurance of 9h when operating at an altitude of 41,000ft (12,500m) and 185km from its home base. The aircraft features dual S-band radar arrays at the front and rear, plus L-band sensors on the fuselage side, providing 360° coverage. Israel's configuration has six on-board operator stations.The modified G550 also has pod-housed electronic support measures equipment, plus satellite communications and line-of-sight datalinks. Elta says the airframe modifications have "minimal impact" on the business jet's performance.
According to a previous statement by Singapore's defence ministry, the formal delivery period for its G550 AEW aircraft is late 2008 to 2010. The aircraft will replace four E-2Cs that have been in service for more than 20 years. Industry sources say that the four AEW-configured aircraft are expected to cost the island state up to $1 billion.
A fifth, unmodified, business jet is also being acquired to support training activities from 2012 under a 20-year private finance initiative deal with ST Aerospace.
on January 31, 2010 8:54 AM | Reply
Great find. That seems to be one heavily modified aircraft.
on January 31, 2010 11:28 AM | Reply
Yep, totally modified. Similar to the Israeli aircraft, from what we understand. That is one highly secretive aircraft - I wonder if they will allow me to take a look inside at the show. I sure am gonna try.