Embraer could be poised to join Boeing and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) in contesting South Korea’s requirement for four airborne early-warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, while IAI is also seeking a new partner to supply a communications suite as part of its bid, writes Brendan Sobie.
Industry sources say IAI plans to again offer a Gulfstream G550-based solution using Elta’s Phalcon radar, but that L-3 Communications, which partnered the company under a proposal submitted last year, has been dropped from the team. IAI is understood to be talking to other US companies to ensure that its new proposal continues to have at least 51% US content.
Embraer is also courting potential partners to help it propose an ERJ-145-based solution also featuring at least 51% US content, the sources add. Consulting firm SVC, acting on behalf of Embraer, received the AEW&C request for proposal (RFP) and attended a briefing last month on South Korea’s E-X programme. However, sources say the Brazilian firm has not yet decided whether it will bid.
Boeing and IAI were the only companies to respond to a South Korean RFP released early last year, but Seoul decided to delay the $2 billion programme by one year and restart the competition after the Phalcon radar failed the test and evaluation phase.
Boeing remains the frontrunner for the requirement and plans to again propose its 737 equipped with Northrop Grumman’s Mesa radar.
Responses to the new RFP are due in October, with South Korea’s defence ministry aiming to select a winner during December.
However, an Embraer decision to join the competition and IAI’s move to switch partners could push the programme into 2006, as both new solutions would have to be evaluated.
Source: Flight International
