Saab 340 AEW&C

The Saab 340 AEW&C is a Swedish airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. A variant of the Saab 340 aircraft is designated S 100B Argus by the Swedish Air Force.

Radar

Compared to the traditional circular radar on AWACS planes, such as the E-3 Sentry, the Saab 340 has a non-movable PS-890 AESA radar made with the Erieye system. It offers lower drag, but has a dead zone directly behind and in front of the plane, with a 120 degree zone of scan on either side of the airframe. The mounted radar is capable of tracking ships, planes and missiles up to 190-250 mi (300-400 km), while at an altitude of 20,000 ft (6,100 m).

Operational history

Six S 100B Argus aircraft were produced for the Swedish Air Force. Four are permanently equipped with the Erieye active electronically scanned array (AESA) early warning radar. Two are fitted for transport missions during peacetime.

Two modified planes were loaned to Greece prior to the delivery of EMB-145 Erieye systems, which commenced in 2003.

In July 2006, Saab was awarded a contract to upgrade two of the Swedish Air Force's S 100B aircraft for surveillance missions, and for deployment in multi-national operations. The upgraded Saab 340 AEW-300 aircraft, entered service in 2009.

In November 2007, Thailand announced the intention to buy two S 100B AEW aircraft from the Swedish Air Force.

On May 29th, 2024, the Swedish Ministry of Defense announced that two Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft (ASC 890) will be sent to Ukraine, in the 16th military support package.

Variants

Saab 340B AEW / S 100B Argus

(FSR-890) Erieye, for the Thai Air Force.

Saab 340B AEW-200

(IS-340) Erieye

Saab 340B AEW-300 / S 100D Argus

(ASC-890) Erieye

Operators

Current

 Sweden

• Swedish Air Force operates two aircraft (2 S100D / ASC890). SAAB GlobalEye was ordered as replacements in June 2022.

 Thailand

• Royal Thai Air Force operates two aircraft delivered completely on October, 2012.

 Poland

• Polish Air Force - Purchased two used (ex-UAE) Saab 340 AEW early warning and control aircraft in July 2023, with deliveries planned to start in 2024. The first plane was delivered in September 2023. The second aircraft was delivered in June 2024.

Former operators

 Greece

• Hellenic Air Force formerly loaned two aircraft.

 United Arab Emirates

• United Arab Emirates Air Force - 2 operated. Retired in 2020 after replacement by GlobalEye (Bombardier 6000).

Future Operators

 Ukraine

• Ukrainian Air Force - 2 pledged by Sweden.

Saab 2000 AEW&C operators

In December 1988, Saab decided to build a stretched derivative of its Saab 340, called Saab 2000.

 Pakistan

• Pakistan Air Force operates 7 aircraft.

 Saudi Arabia

• Royal Saudi Air Force operates 2 aircraft.

Specifications (Saab 340 AEW&C)

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 6
• Length: 20.57 m (67 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 21.44 m (70 ft 4 in)
• Height: 6.97 m (22 ft 10 in)
• Empty weight: 10,300 kg (22,707 lb)
• Gross weight: 13,155 kg (29,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × General Electric CT7-9B , 1,390 kW (1,870 hp) each

Performance

• Endurance: 5+ hours
• Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)

See also

Related development

• Saab 340
• Saab 2000 AEW&C

Related lists

• List of airborne early warning aircraft

References

External links

Media related to Saab 340 AEW&C at Wikimedia Commons