Saab 340 AEW&C Facts for Kids

Saab 340 AEWCS S 100 Argus

An S 100B Argus at Malmen in 2010
Role	AEWCS aircraft
National origin	Sweden
Manufacturer	Saab AB
First flight	1994
Introduction	1997
Status	Active
Primary users	Swedish Air Force Royal Thai Air Force
Produced	1994–1999
Number built	12
Developed from	Saab 340

The Saab 340 AEW&C is a special airplane from Sweden. It is used for airborne early warning and control (AEW&C). This means it can spot things in the air from far away. The Swedish Air Force calls its version the S 100B Argus. It is a changed version of the regular Saab 340 passenger plane.

What is the Saab 340 AEW&C?
Related Aircraft
- Saab 2000 AEW&C Users
Images for kids
See also

What is the Saab 340 AEW&C?

The Saab 340 AEW&C is an aircraft designed to act like a flying radar station. Its main job is to find and track other planes, ships, and even missiles. It helps protect a country's airspace by giving early warnings. This allows military forces to react quickly to threats.

How Does Its Radar Work?

This aircraft uses a special radar system called Erieye. It is different from the round radars you might see on other radar planes, like the E-3 Sentry. The Erieye radar on the Saab 340 is long and flat, sitting on top of the plane. It does not move.

This design helps the plane fly more smoothly. However, it means the radar cannot see directly in front of or behind the aircraft. It can scan a wide area of 120 degrees on each side of the plane. This powerful radar can track objects like ships, planes, and missiles up to 300 to 400 kilometers away. It works best when the plane is flying at about 20,000 feet (about 6,100 meters).

Who Uses the Saab 340 AEW&C?

The Saab 340 AEW&C first flew in 1994 and started being used in 1997. It has been an important aircraft for several countries.

The Swedish Air Force first received six of these planes. Four of them were always set up with the Erieye radar. The other two could be used for transport during peaceful times.
In 2006, Saab upgraded two of Sweden's planes. These improved planes, called Saab 340 AEW-300, began service around 2009.
Before Greece received its own radar planes, it borrowed two modified Saab 340s.
In 2007, Thailand decided to buy two S 100B AEW aircraft from Sweden. These planes were fully delivered by October 2012.

Current Users

Sweden Swedish Air Force: They currently use two S100D (ASC890) aircraft. Newer GlobalEye planes are planned to replace them.
Thailand Royal Thai Air Force: They operate two aircraft.

Future Users

Poland Polish Air Force: They bought two Saab 340 AEW planes in July 2023. Deliveries are expected to start in 2024.

Former Users

Greece Hellenic Air Force: They used to borrow two aircraft.
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Air Force: They operated two planes but retired them in 2020. They were replaced by GlobalEye aircraft.

Different Versions of the Aircraft

Over time, different versions of the Saab 340 AEW&C have been made or upgraded:

Saab 340B AEW / S 100B Argus: This version uses the FSR-890 Erieye radar. It is used by the Thai Air Force.
Saab 340B AEW-200: This model uses the IS-340 Erieye system.
Saab 340B AEW-300 / S 100D Argus: This is an upgraded version with the ASC-890 Erieye radar.

Key Facts About the Saab 340 AEW&C

Here are some important details about the Saab 340 AEW&C:

Crew: It needs 6 people to operate.
Length: The plane is about 20.57 meters (67 feet 6 inches) long.
Wingspan: Its wings stretch 21.44 meters (70 feet 4 inches) wide.
Height: The aircraft stands 6.97 meters (22 feet 10 inches) tall.
Empty Weight: It weighs about 10,300 kilograms (22,707 pounds) when empty.
Max Weight: Its maximum takeoff weight is around 13,155 kilograms (29,000 pounds).
Engines: It has two General Electric CT7-9B engines, each providing 1870 horsepower.
Endurance: The plane can stay in the air for more than 5 hours.
Ceiling: It can fly as high as 7,620 meters (25,000 feet).

Related Aircraft

The Saab 340 AEW&C is part of a family of aircraft.

Saab 340: This is the original passenger plane that the AEW&C version was built from.
Saab 2000 AEW&C: This is a larger, faster version of the Saab 340. It was developed in 1988.