Saab expects to fly the fifth GlobalEye multi-sensor airborne early warning and surveillance aircraft for the UAE imminently. Although the Swedish company hasn't announced the delivery schedule for the fourth and fifth examples of the Emirati aircraft, it expects to hand them over sometime next year.
As the launch export customer, the UAE ordered two GlobalEyes in November 2015 and exercised an option for a third aircraft in February 2017. Saab delivered the first in April 2020 and the last in February 2021, shortly after the announcement of a follow-on order for two more.
On April 3 aircraft number 4 took to the skies at Linköping after modification to GlobalEye standard, and it is now nearing the end of its trials campaign ahead of delivery to the UAE next year. The fifth aircraft will make its first post-modification flight in the coming weeks and, judging by the previous interval between the first flight and delivery, it should complete the UAE fleet before the end of 2024.
Saab added new, undisclosed capabilities to the fourth and fifth aircraft, highlighted by additional fairings on the sides of the cabin. Taking a break from its test campaign, the fourth aircraft made an appearance at the RIAT airshow in the UK in July, allowing a closer inspection of the additions.
The company noted that the capability enhancements account for part of the company’s spiral approach to GlobalEye development. It also suggests that they are retrofittable and that the first three aircraft likely will also gain the new equipment.
GlobalEye scored its second sales success in June 2022, when the Swedish government ordered two aircraft—designated S 106—for the air force, with two more on option. Saab has procured two Global 6000s from Bombardier and has secured the supply of an additional pair to meet the demand if Sweden opts to exercise the option.
Bombardier handed over the first of the Swedish aircraft to Saab in July, although the aircraft remains in North America for cabin work. Plans call for its delivery to Linköping before the end of this year for induction into the GlobalEye modification process. Sweden has stated a requirement for service entry in 2027.
Discussions With More GlobalEye Export Customers
Along with the contracted work, 2023 has been a busy year for the GlobalEye program. Discussions continue with neighbors Denmark and Norway regarding the potential of operating GlobalEyes, noting the opportunity for a partnership with the Swedish aircraft. Current E-3 Sentry operator France is also showing considerable interest and has sent personnel to Sweden to fly in the aircraft.
Earlier this year Saab responded to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency’s request for information regarding the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control program to replace NATO’s E-3 force. The company has made some additions and alterations to the GlobalEye configuration to ensure that fully complies with the alliance’s requirements.
Saab also is pursuing the Republic of Korea’s E-X Phase 2 requirement to add four AEW aircraft to the four Boeing Peace Eye 737s it already operates. It expects a request for proposals soon, and Saab’s response includes a high degree of Korean industrial participation.
The bid also includes a number of alterations to the configuration employed by the Emirati and Swedish aircraft. Most notable is the move to provide a 360-degree radar coverage capability with the addition of a forward-looking radar in the belly fairing, and a rear-facing antenna in the tailcone. The new radar system works in the X-band, bringing additional capability to the current S-band Erieye-ER radar and L-band IFF system.
In the meantime, the two Saab 340 airborne early warning and control aircraft made redundant by the UAE air force—and returned to Saab following the receipt of the GlobalEyes—will soon find a new home in Poland. The order for the pair was announced in July, and at the end of September, the first rolled out in Polish air force colors.
The delivery schedule remains unannounced but, with no major changes to the aircraft, they appear likely to return to operation shortly. Saab hopes that, as in the case of the UAE, experience with the 340s will naturally lead to Poland becoming a GlobalEye operator in the future.
For potential future customers Saab would almost certainly base the aircraft on the Global 6500 aircraft as Bombardier phases out Global 6000 production. Changes found in the 6500 involve mainly avionics and engines, and the porting of the mission system to the new model is straightforward. The change comes with benefits, too, with Saab noting that the new Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engines would enable an increase in typical endurance from 13 hours, up from the 11 to 12 hours achievable with the 6000’s BR710 powerplant.