ISR Saab Returns To Paris

Luxembourg-registered CAE Aviation—not to be confused with the Canada-headquartered training organization—is displaying a Saab 340B outfitted for ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) this week at the Paris Air Show. The aircraft itself is no stranger to the event, having been exhibited by Saab in 2013, when it served as a demonstrator for the company’s Maritime Surveillance Aircraft offering.

Since then, the aircraft has been re-registered in the U.S. and received additional modifications. The original retractable FLIR Systems Star Safire EO/IR sensor turret under the rear fuselage has been replaced by an L3 Wescam MX-15 turret, while an MX-20 has been added under the forward fuselage.

It is equipped with an AESA search radar with inverse-SAR surveillance and ground moving target indication modes. When previously acting as the Saab demonstrator, the aircraft was fitted with a Telephonics RDR-1700.

Electronic intelligence sensors include maritime AIS, direction-finding equipment and systems for the geolocation of mobile and satellite phones. Datalinks include high-rate satellite uplink, line-of-sight link, and a Rover-style link for sending data to ground forces. A company graphic shows four operator stations plus additional seating in the cabin.

CAE Aviation undertakes a range of “ISR by the hour” surveillance and mapping missions under contract to government agencies and commercial organizations. Other types in the fleet include Beechcraft King Air versions, Fairchild Merlin III/IV, Cessna Grand Caravan, and Casa 212 Aviocar. The company declined to comment on any aspect of the Saab 340 due to customer confidentiality and the ISR nature of its capabilities.