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Saab 340 AEW&C facts for kids

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Saab 340 AEWCS
S 100 Argus
S 100B at Malmen 2010-06-13 1.jpg
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 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 which 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 300-400 km while at an altitude of 20,000 feet.

Operational history

Six S 100B Argus aircraft were produced for the Swedish Air Force, four of which are permanently equipped with the Erieye active electronically scanned array (AESA) early warning radar and two 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, are planned to enter service by 2009.

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

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

Saab 340 Argus VBY
Swedish Air Force Saab 340 Argus
SAAB 340AEW of the Royal Thai Air Force at Khon Kaen (11348690443)
Royal Thai Air Force Saab 340 AEW&C
Saab 2000 Erieye
Pakistan Air Force Saab 2000 AEW&C
Current
 Sweden
  • Swedish Air Force operates two aircraft (2 S100D / ASC890) SAAB Globaleye was ordered as replecements in June 2022
 Thailand
  • Royal Thai Air Force operates two aircraft delivered completely on October, 2012

Future operators

 Poland
  • Polish Air Force - Purchased two Saab 340 AEW early warning and control aircraft in July 2023 with deliveries planned to start in 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).

Saab 2000 AEW&C operators

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

 Pakistan
 Saudi Arabia
  • Royal Saudi Air Force operates 2 aircraft

Specifications (Saab 340 AEW&C)

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 (22,708 lb)
  • Gross weight: 13,155 kg (29,002 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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Saab 340 AEW&C para niños

Aircraft related to this one
  • Saab 340
  • Saab 2000 AEW&C
Lists related to this aircraft
  • List of airborne early warning aircraft