Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) is close to signing a contract with Ericsson Microwave Systems and Saab for an extensive upgrade to two of the Swedish air force’s S100B Argus airborne early-warning (AEW) aircraft. To bring the aircraft to a new airborne surveillance and control system configuration intended to support international operations, the work is expected to include the addition of three onboard operator stations and enhancements to the modified Saab 340’s Erieye surveillance radar, say industry and military sources.
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© Flight International
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| The Swedish air force currently operates six Argus AEW aircraft |
The air force currently has six Argus platforms, with their Erieye radars, used to relay AEW data to ground stations for exploitation. The service intends to equip two of its aircraft with onboard operator stations, identification friend-or-foe systems, Link 16 datalinks and Have Quick digital radios to support future international commitments, says Brig Gen Anders Silwer, air component commander for the Swedish-led Nordic Battle Group. The proposed upgrade will result in the availability of NATO-compatible aircraft with similarties to the Erieye-based Embraer EMB-145 AEW previously sold to Greece, say industry sources.
The FMV says negotiations have yet to conclude on the Argus upgrade, but Silwer says the two upgraded aircraft should be delivered from 2009.